The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to the public regarding fraudulent social media accounts claiming to belong to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
In a statement released via the Army’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, noted a “disturbing increase” in activities by unscrupulous individuals using the COAS’s name for fraudulent purposes.
The Army clarified that Lieutenant General Shaibu does not operate or maintain any official social media accounts on any platform. The statement emphasized that any account claiming to represent him is a fabrication and should be ignored.
“Members of the public are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant,” the statement read. “These fake accounts are often used to defraud unsuspecting individuals, solicit funds, or spread misinformation in the name of the Nigerian Army.”
The military urged citizens not to engage with or share content from these accounts, warning that doing so could expose them to scams and other criminal activities.
The Army further disclosed that security agencies are working to identify and apprehend those behind the impersonations for prosecution under existing laws. The statement concluded by reaffirming the Army’s commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
