DHQ exposes fake video claiming forced military recruitment nationwide

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed a viral video circulating online that falsely claims the Nigerian military plans to forcibly recruit citizens aged 18 and above, describing it as a digitally manipulated piece of disinformation aimed at discrediting the armed forces.

In a statement released on Saturday and signed by Brigadier General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said the video featured a “mischievously cloned” image of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and attributed to him a fabricated directive on mandatory enlistment.

According to the DHQ, the video was designed to defame the CDS and portray the military in a negative light.

General Uba stressed that neither the CDS, the Service Chiefs, nor any officer within the Armed Forces has ever issued such a statement or proposed compulsory recruitment.

“The military remains a noble and voluntary profession,” the statement read, adding that “Thousands of patriotic Nigerians willingly apply to join the three services during each recruitment exercise. Any suggestion of forceful enlistment is false and malicious.”

The DHQ warned that the spread of fake videos and statements has become easier with the rise of Artificial Intelligence tools, urging Nigerians to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of content before sharing it.

Uba noted that such manipulated media could mislead the public, undermine national security institutions, and damage the reputation of senior military leaders.

As part of its clarification, the Defence Headquarters reiterated that all official statements from the office of the Chief of Defence Staff are released exclusively through designated spokespersons and its verified social media platforms.

The DHQ called on the public to disregard the viral video and treat it as baseless disinformation.