The Nigerian Army on Friday refuted a viral publication claiming that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, planned to forcefully recruit Nigerians aged 18 and above into military service.
The statement, issued in Abuja by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt Col Appolonia Anele, stressed that the viral claim was completely false and created to mislead the public.
Anele explained that the publication had alleged the COAS threatened compulsory conscription for youths who refused to enlist voluntarily, and also claimed that 10,000 soldiers recruited last year had disappeared.
She described the circulating information as a “malicious fabrication,” insisting that the COAS never made such comments in any speech, meeting, or official engagement.
Anele warned individuals and groups behind the falsehood to desist, noting that security agencies would track and prosecute those spreading harmful and inciting misinformation.
She appealed to Nigerians to ignore the rumour entirely and rely only on official communication channels and verified social media accounts of the Nigerian Army for genuine updates.
