The Nigerian Army has alerted the public to the activities of a cybercriminal impersonating the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, on various social media platforms.
The Army urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and to disregard any messages, requests or communications purportedly originating from the COAS through unofficial channels.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, the Army described the development as a growing concern, noting a disturbing increase in fake social media accounts operated by unscrupulous individuals falsely claiming to represent or be associated with the COAS.
She stressed that the impersonation is entirely fraudulent and reaffirmed that the Chief of Army Staff does not maintain any official social media presence on any platform.
Colonel Anele cautioned members of the public to exercise extreme care and avoid engaging with such accounts, which are often used to defraud unsuspecting individuals, solicit funds or spread misinformation in the name of the COAS or the Nigerian Army.
She advised Nigerians not to respond to, engage with or share content from these fake accounts, but instead to report them to the appropriate authorities.
She further disclosed that the Nigerian Army is taking all necessary steps to identify and apprehend those behind the fraudulent accounts, with a view to prosecuting them in line with existing laws.
The Army reiterated its commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Linus Aleke, Abuja
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