Yemi Obafemi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has debunked a viral video allegedly showing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making statements in support of partisan political interests.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, on Thursday.
The DHQ described the footage as a fabricated artificial intelligence-generated video that did not originate from the Defence Chief, adding that the statements attributed to him were false.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unequivocally that the video is fake and did not emanate from the Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement said.
The military authorities said the video appeared to have been created to mislead the public, misrepresent the position of the CDS and damage the reputation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The DHQ reiterated that the Nigerian military remains a professional, apolitical and non-partisan institution committed to the Constitution and the defence of the country.
It condemned the creation and circulation of the video and warned those responsible, as well as anyone knowingly amplifying the material, to stop.
The Defence Headquarters urged members of the public to disregard the video and rely on information released through its official channels.
