Army Debunks Report Linking It to Fake Social Media Threats Ahead of October 20 Protest
The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading a report published by Sahara Reporters alleging that a Facebook page purportedly operated by military personnel issued veiled threats against certain individuals ahead of a planned October 20 protest.
In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page on Friday, the Army described the publication as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and discredit the institution, stressing that it has no connection with the unverified social media account referenced in the report.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Army has only two official social media handles, namely @HQNigerianArmy and @NigerianArmyInfo, which are duly verified on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube,” the statement clarified. “Any other page or account outside these verified handles does not belong to the Nigerian Army and should be disregarded in its entirety.”
The Army further explained that several civilians and online content creators have created pages that post military-related materials purely to attract social media traffic and generate income, emphasizing that such platforms have no official or informal links with the Nigerian Army.
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“The Nigerian Army therefore dissociates itself completely from any post, statement, or activity emanating from these unauthorized sources,” the statement said.
Reaffirming its neutrality and professionalism, the Army stressed that it remains a disciplined and apolitical institution devoted to the defence and unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It reiterated its unwavering adherence to constitutional duties, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in all operations.
While calling on the media and the general public to verify any military-related information only through its official communication channels or the Directorate of Army Public Relations, the statement urged journalists to uphold ethical standards and avoid spreading falsehoods that could undermine public trust and national security.
“The Nigerian Army therefore urges Sahara Reporters and other media outlets to exercise due diligence in verifying the authenticity of their sources to avoid the spread of falsehood capable of misleading the public and undermining national security,” it added.
The Army’s response underscores its increasing efforts to combat misinformation and impersonation on social media, as several fake pages and online accounts continue to circulate content falsely attributed to the military.
With the clarification, the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its readiness to continue discharging its constitutional duties professionally while maintaining transparency and accountability in its engagements with the public.
By PRNigeria
