Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that fake news and deepfakes threaten Nigeria’s security and military operations, urging responsible reporting.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has raised alarm over the growing threat posed by fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes, warning that they endanger Nigeria’s national security and the integrity of military operations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ Combined Third and Fourth Quarters Seminar in Abuja, Oluyede, represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi said the rise of artificial intelligence and digital technologies has amplified the speed and reach of misinformation.
“With the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information—both genuine and false—have multiplied,” he said. “Fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity.”
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that fake news and deepfakes threaten Nigeria’s security and military operations, urging responsible reporting.
The Army Chief emphasized that modern warfare now extends beyond physical combat into the information space, where narratives, perception, and public confidence are critical to achieving victory.
“Victory today is not won solely on the battlefield. Increasingly, it is fought in the information domain—where narratives, perceptions, and public confidence are decisive,” Oluyede added.
He urged journalists and public relations officers to strengthen collaboration in the fight against misinformation, stressing the need for accuracy, responsibility, and professionalism in media reporting.
“While weapons win battles, truth and trust win wars. Our collective mission is to ensure that Nigerians remain accurately informed, confident in their Armed Forces, and united behind the cause of national security,” he said.
Oluyede commended the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, for her efforts in strengthening military–media engagement and organizing the seminar aimed at improving information management.
In her remarks, Anele noted that fake news and deepfakes now pose dangers comparable to enemy propaganda in conflict zones.
“Fact-checking, verification, and responsible journalism have become indispensable tools for protecting national security and sustaining public trust,” she said.
The Army’s warning comes amid global concern over the growing use of AI-generated content to manipulate public perception and distort facts—an emerging challenge that experts say requires stronger collaboration between the military, media, and technology regulators.
