The Nigerian Army has cautioned members of the public against fraudulent social media accounts falsely claiming to be operated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.

In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said the Army had observed a disturbing rise in fake accounts created by unscrupulous individuals to impersonate the COAS for criminal purposes.

Anele clarified that the Chief of Army Staff does not maintain any official social media account on any platform.

She explained that the fake accounts are being used to:

• Deceive unsuspecting members of the public
• Solicit funds under false pretenses
• Spread misinformation
• Commit other fraudulent acts in the name of the COAS and the Nigerian Army

Public Advisory

The Army urged citizens to exercise caution and remain vigilant, advising them not to engage, respond to, or share content from such accounts.

Anele warned that any request for money or assistance purportedly made in the name of the COAS should be treated as a scam.

She added that steps have already been taken to identify and apprehend those behind the fake accounts, with plans to prosecute them under existing laws.

“The Nigerian Army reassures Nigerians of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property and defending the territorial integrity of the country in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Anele said.