The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has debunked reports and videos circulating on social media alleging that young Nigerians, starting from age 18, would be forcibly recruited into the Armed Forces.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Samaila Uba, described the claims—attributed to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede—as “fake” and “clearly intended to defame” the CDS and portray the military in a negative light.
According to the DHQ, the Armed Forces remain a “noble profession” that continues to attract thousands of willing and patriotic Nigerians, as demonstrated during routine recruitment exercises across the Army, Navy and Air Force.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let it be on record that the purported statement was never made by the Chief of Defence Staff, any of the Service Chiefs, or by any member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement read.
The military high command urged Nigerians to exercise caution when sharing statements or videos online, warning that the spread of misinformation could undermine public trust and national security.
The DHQ emphasized that all official communications from the Chief of Defence Staff must be obtained only from verified Defence Headquarters spokespersons and its official social media platforms.
