Fake news threatening national security – COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that the growing spread of fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s national security and the integrity of military operations.

Oluyede, who was represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, gave the warning on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the combined third and fourth quarters seminar of the Directorate of Army Public Relations in Abuja.

He said the rise of digital technology and artificial intelligence had amplified the speed and reach of information — both true and false — making it easier for misinformation to spread and undermine public trust.

“With the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information — both genuine and false — have multiplied,” the Army chief said. “Fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity.”

Oluyede emphasized that the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception of the military, noting that balanced and responsible reporting was key to maintaining public confidence in ongoing security operations across the country.

“Victory today is not won solely on the battlefield,” he added. “Increasingly, it is fought in the information domain — where narratives, perceptions, and public confidence are decisive.”

He urged journalists and public relations officers to work collaboratively to counter misinformation by ensuring that only verified and factual information dominates public discourse.

While commending the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, for convening the seminar and strengthening military–media relations, Oluyede reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to partnering with the media in promoting professionalism, truth, and national interest in defence reporting.

“While weapons win battles, truth and trust win wars,” he said. “Our collective mission is to ensure that the Nigerian public remains accurately informed, confident in its Armed Forces, and united behind the cause of national security.”

In her remarks, Anele noted that fake news, doctored images, and deepfakes now pose as much danger as enemy propaganda in active conflict zones, stressing that fact-checking and responsible journalism are indispensable tools in safeguarding both national security and public trust.

The Army’s warning comes amid rising concerns over the proliferation of misinformation and the use of artificial intelligence to create deepfakes — convincingly altered videos, audio, or images capable of misleading the public and distorting facts.