The Nigerian Army has alerted members of the public to a growing number of fake social media accounts being operated by fraudsters who falsely claim to represent or be associated with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Army, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed that the Nigerian Army has observed a disturbing rise in such fraudulent accounts across various social media platforms.
She emphasized that the Nigerian Army wishes to categorically state that the Chief of Army Staff does not operate or maintain any official social media account on any platform.
Members of the general public have therefore been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant against scammers who may attempt to use these fake accounts to defraud unsuspecting individuals, solicit funds, or spread false information in the name of the COAS or the Nigerian Army. The public was strongly urged not to engage with, respond to, or share content from such accounts.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Army is already taking necessary steps to identify, track, and apprehend the operators of these fake accounts, with a view to prosecuting them in accordance with extant laws.
The Nigerian Army further reassured Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, as well as the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
