Defense Headquarters Dismisses Cloned Video on Forced Recruitment Claim
The Defense Headquarters has moved swiftly to quell public anxiety after a circulating video used a crudely cloned image of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to push a false claim that the military intends to forcefully recruit young Nigerians from the age of eighteen. In a statement that showed intense concern, the Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, described the video as a calculated act of mischief. His words arrived with the clarity of a hand penned note, stressing that the armed forces remain a noble institution built on voluntary service, not coercion. He explained that thousands of Nigerians continue to offer themselves for duty each year, a trend consistently reflected in recruitment exercises across the army, navy and air force. According to him, no such declaration on compulsory enlistment was ever issued by the Chief of Defense Staff or by any of the Service Chiefs. Brigadier General Uba urged the public to dismiss the video without hesitation, warning that its creators aimed to undermine the professionalism and credibility that the military has worked hard to preserve. He said the institution would continue to maintain transparency in its recruitment processes as the security landscape evolves. The statement arrives at a time of heightened digital misinformation, where a single manipulated clip can travel far beyond its original intent, stirring unease in communities that rely on trusted communication. The military appears determined to shut down this particular rumor before it gathers dangerous momentum, reminding citizens of the importance of vigilance in an age where truth and falsehood often sit side by side.
| 2025-11-23 19:34:34