DHQ Debunks AI Video, Reaffirms CDS Oluyede’s Political Neutrality | ClipTV Online

The Defense Headquarters has issued a warning about a fake AI-generated video falsely depicting the Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, making partisan political statements. The military called the video a deliberate attempt to deceive the public, distort the position of the nation’s top military officer, and create the impression that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are taking a political stance.

In a statement released on Thursday, August 27, the Director of Defense Information, Major General Samaila Uba, stated that the video did not originate from the Chief of Defense Staff and that the statements attributed to General Oluyede are false. According to the Defense Headquarters, the video was created through AI manipulation and intentionally crafted to seem authentic.

The military said the material appears to be aimed at misleading Nigerians, misrepresenting the views of the CDS, and damaging the reputation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The development comes amid growing concerns about the use of AI to produce realistic but fake videos and audio recordings of public officials and other prominent figures.

The Defense Headquarters emphasized that the video is especially concerning because of the person it impersonates and the potential repercussions of falsely depicting military leadership as partisan. The DHQ therefore urges the public to completely ignore the video and any statements attributed to General Oluyede in the fabricated content.

The military reaffirmed that the Chief of Defense Staff did not make the statements in the video and that they do not reflect his views or the stance of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The Defense Headquarters also restated the Nigerian military’s political neutrality, affirming that the Armed Forces remain a professional, apolitical, and non-partisan institution committed to Nigeria’s Constitution and national defense.

This clarification is especially important given the military’s sensitive role in Nigeria’s democracy and the constitutional mandate that the Armed Forces stay above partisan politics. The DHQ condemned the intentional creation and distribution of the fake video, warning that such material could damage public trust in the institution and bring the Armed Forces into disrepute.

It also warned those responsible for creating the video, as well as individuals who knowingly share or spread it, to stop doing so. This warning comes as social media platforms continue to make it easier for fake content to spread quickly, often reaching large audiences before its authenticity can be verified. AI-generated videos can be particularly hard for ordinary users to identify because they can convincingly mimic a person’s appearance, voice, and mannerisms.

The Defense Headquarters urged Nigerians to be cautious when encountering videos or statements that appear to be issued by senior military officials, especially when the content involves politically sensitive issues. The military advised the public to rely on information released through its official, verified communication channels for accurate updates about the Armed Forces and its leadership.