The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, says the growing use of fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes, now pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s national security and the integrity of military operations.
General Oluyede gave this warning on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ combined third and fourth quarters seminar held in Abuja.
He stated that the increase of digital technology and artificial intelligence had made information travel faster and wider, making it easier for misinformation and doctored content to spread unchecked.
“With the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information — both genuine and false — have multiplied.
“Fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity,” he said.
Represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, the Army Chief stressed that the media plays a vital role in shaping public perception of the military,
He added that responsible and balanced reporting is essential to maintain public trust and support for ongoing operations across the country.
General Oluyede explained further that modern conflicts are increasingly fought not only on the battlefield but also in the information space, where narratives and public confidence determine the success of security efforts.
He charged journalists and public relations officers to work together to counter misinformation by ensuring that only verified and factual information dominates public discourse.
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