The Nigerian Army has cautioned members of the public to be wary of fraudulent social media accounts falsely claiming to represent the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
This warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele.
According to Anele, the Army has recorded a “disturbing increase” in the number of fake online profiles created by criminal elements who are impersonating the COAS for fraudulent activities.
“The Nigerian Army has observed a rise in fake social media accounts created by unscrupulous individuals to impersonate the Chief of Army Staff for criminal purposes,” she said.
She clarified that Lt.-Gen. Shaibu does not operate any official social media account on any platform, stressing that any account bearing his name online is fake.
Anele explained that the impostors use these accounts to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians, solicit money, spread misinformation, and carry out other criminal acts in the name of the Nigerian Army.
“These fake accounts are being used to solicit funds, spread false information, and defraud members of the public,” she added.
The Army spokesperson urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with, responding to, or sharing content from such accounts.
“Any request for money or assistance purportedly made in the name of the Chief of Army Staff should be treated as a scam,” Anele warned.
She also disclosed that the Army has begun efforts to track down those responsible for the fake accounts, with the aim of prosecuting them under existing laws.
“The Nigerian Army reassures Nigerians of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property, and to defending the territorial integrity of the country in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she stated.
