By Augustine Ehikioya
The Nigerian Army has disclosed a disturbing rise in fake social media accounts created and operated by unscrupulous individuals, falsely claiming to represent or be associated with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
It categorically stated that the Chief of Army Staff does not have any official social media presence on any platform.
This was contained in a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations. It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It said “Members of the general public are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit these fake accounts to defraud unsuspecting individuals, solicit funds, or spread misinformation in the name of the COAS or the Nigerian Army.
“The public is urged not to engage, respond, or share information from such accounts.”
The Nigerian Army, the statement said, is taking all the necessary steps to apprehend the operators of the fake accounts with a view to bringing them to justice in accordance with the extant laws.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to reassure the public of its unflinching commitment to protecting the citizens of our dear country and its territorial integrity as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it stated.
