The Defence Headquarters of Nigeria has officially denied circulating reports alleging plans to forcibly recruit young Nigerians into the military. The military authority described the viral social media claims as completely false and fabricated.
Military Dismisses Viral Recruitment Claims
In a strong statement released by Brigadier-General Samaila Uba, the Director of Defence Information, the DHQ clarified that no such recruitment directive exists. The reports, which falsely attributed statements to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, were labeled as deliberate attempts to damage the reputation of both the CDS and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The statement emphasized that the Nigerian military remains a noble profession that attracts thousands of patriotic citizens who willingly join during official recruitment exercises. Brigadier-General Uba specifically stated that neither the Chief of Defence Staff, any Service Chief, nor any officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces made such comments or directives.
Official Statement and Clarification
"For the avoidance of doubt, let it be on record that the purported statement was never made by the Chief of Defence Staff, any of the Service Chiefs and indeed by any member of the Armed Forces of Nigeria," the statement read. The military urged Nigerians to immediately stop sharing the unverified video and accompanying claims, describing them as completely fabricated content designed to mislead the public.
The Defence Headquarters expressed concern about the growing danger of misinformation on social media platforms. They cautioned the public to be more careful when consuming or distributing statements and videos circulating online, particularly those concerning military matters.
Call for Reliable Information Sources
The military high command advised Nigerians to rely exclusively on verified Defence Headquarters spokespersons and official social media platforms for accurate information about the Armed Forces. "It is therefore important for all to note that all statements and releases from the Chief of Defence Staff are to be sourced from verified Defence Headquarters designated spokespersons and its official social media handles," the statement emphasized.
The DHQ completely dismissed the fake report and circulating video, asking the public to disregard them entirely. The statement was issued in response to videos that began circulating on November 23, 2025, claiming that young Nigerians from age 18 were being forced into military service.
