The Nigerian Army has advised residents of the southeast region to be cautious of digitally manipulated, old, and misleading voiceover videos currently circulating on social media.

The video, according to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, alleged that the federal government, in collusion with the governors of the southeast and the north, was planning an attack on the southeast region.

The video said the federal government intends to transport weapons of different types through airports to attack residents in the Southeast region.

Reacting, Ayeni said, “The claims contained in the video are entirely deceptive and represent a calculated attempt to incite disaffection among ethnic groups in the country.”

He added that the Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA (JTF – SE OPUK) would ordinarily not dignify the “baseless allegations” with a response, but had decided to react to dispel the fear and anxiety that they might create in the people.

He stated that the mission of the Nigerian army is to ensure peace and security for socio-economic development in the region, while also strongly condemning misinformation designed to instil fear and cause public anxiety.

“Furthermore, all security agencies operating in the Southeast region have significantly fostered peaceful coexistence through the effective neutralisation of threats to physical security. As such, any attempt by anyone or groups of persons to undermine the security architecture in the region is an effort in futility,” he said

Ayeni advised the public to remain vigilant and rely only on accurate and verified information from credible sources, especially in this era of artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content.

He stated that relevant security agencies are currently pursuing the perpetrators, urging residents to foster a peaceful atmosphere through unity and mutual trust in the interest of national security.