The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has swiftly moved to dismiss widespread reports suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, urged Nigerians to arm themselves or engage in unlawful possession of firearms.
In a statement released on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the military high command described the claims as false, misleading, and mischievously circulated by certain platforms intent on sowing confusion.
According to the DHQ, General Musa has at no point encouraged civilians to take up arms. Instead, he has consistently emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Armed Forces, security agencies, and the civilian population in defeating the threats posed by terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality across the country.
The Defence Headquarters further urged Nigerians to disregard fake news and rely only on verified information from official military communication channels. It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring national security, stressing that illegal possession of firearms remains a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.
The military also called on citizens to avoid being used as instruments of misinformation, reiterating that the fight against insecurity requires trust, unity, and lawful collaboration between the people and the armed forces.
This clarification comes at a time when public anxiety over insecurity remains high, making the military’s reassurance critical to restoring confidence and countering dangerous narratives.
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