The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged defence correspondents to intensify efforts to combat artificial intelligence-generated fake news, deepfakes and other forms of disinformation capable of undermining Nigeria’s national security. Oluyede gave the charge in a goodwill message to the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria at its 2026 conference in Abuja, themed, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.” The CDS warned that manipulated videos, cloned voices, fabricated images and false claims attributed to the Armed Forces could mislead the public, endanger troops, create panic and undermine confidence in military operations. He described deepfakes as emerging tools of psychological warfare, stressing that a single AI-generated video could undo months of operational gains and weaken public trust in security institutions. Oluyede called on defence journalists to verify sensitive operational information with the Defence Headquarters before publication, noting that the pressure to break news should not take precedence over accuracy. He also urged journalists to educate the public on how to identify synthetic media and promptly debunk fabricated content circulating online. The CDS said intelligence-led journalism should go beyond sensational headlines to provide accurate and informed reporting on security challenges while protecting operational security. He stressed that responsible media reporting remains critical to strengthening civil-military relations and building public trust. Oluyede reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to adapting to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, advanced surveillance systems and space-based capabilities, to enhance military operations.