The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, warned that AI-generated fake videos, manipulated images, and cloned voices are emerging threats to Nigeria’s national security, urging defence correspondents to help expose and counter disinformation.
He said this in Abuja on Monday at the 3rd Conference and Award ceremony of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.” ShopAfrican Art
Oluyede said such content was being deliberately circulated to mislead the public, incite fear, discredit troops and undermine public confidence in the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
Represented by the Director Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, the CDS described deepfakes as “weapons of psychological warfare” capable of eroding public trust in the military and weakening the relationship between the Armed Forces and the citizenry.
“These deepfakes are not mere misinformation; they are weapons of psychological warfare aimed at eroding public trust in the Armed Forces and rupturing the vital bond between the military and the citizenry,” he said.
He warned that disinformation’s consequences could extend beyond the information space, affecting ongoing military operations and endangering personnel and civilians.
“In today’s information age, security operations are fought not only on the battlefield but also in the information domain. A single AI-generated video can undo months of operational gains, endanger troops, and cause panic in communities,” Oluyede said.
He called on defence correspondents to prioritise accuracy over speed, verify sensitive operational information with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) before publication and use their platforms to educate the public on identifying synthetic media.
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The CDS also urged journalists to promptly debunk fake videos and other misleading content falsely attributed to the Armed Forces, stressing the need for intelligence-led reporting that counters extremist propaganda and strengthens public confidence in security operations.
He said defence reporting should move beyond sensational headlines to informed, technology-aware journalism that promotes joint military operations and reinforces civil-military relations.
Speaking on the military’s evolving operational strategy, the Defence Chief said modern warfare is no longer determined by firepower alone but increasingly depends on superior information, real-time intelligence, technological dominance, cyber resilience, and control of the information environment.
“Today, battles are no longer won by firepower alone. They are won by superior information, real-time intelligence, technological dominance, cyber resilience, and the ability to control the narrative space,” he said.
He said the Armed Forces are investing in non-kinetic capabilities to anticipate better and counter threats, protect citizens, and safeguard Nigeria’s national interests.
According to him, the investments include strengthening the Defence Space Administration, expanding modular earth observation outposts in operational theatres, establishing the Defence Space School for human capital development and integrating artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance systems into military operations.
“We are building an Armed Forces that is not only combat-ready but also intelligence-driven and technology-enabled,” the CDS said.
Oluyede described DECAN as a “strategic partner in the military’s efforts to safeguard national security”, noting that responsible journalism was essential to sustaining public trust and improving cooperation between the military and civilians.
He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and democracy, while emphasising that the military could not achieve its mission without the cooperation of citizens and a responsible press.
“The trust, cooperation and synergy between the military and the citizenry, mediated through a responsible press, remain indispensable,” he said.
The CDS commended DECAN for sustaining professionalism, patriotism and partnership in defence reporting and assured the association of the Defence Headquarters’ continued support and open-door policy for timely and accurate information sharing.
He expressed confidence that the conference would produce practical solutions to the challenges posed by emerging technologies, information manipulation and the changing character of warfare.