Nigerian Army Warns Against Impersonation Of Army Chief On Social Media

The Nigerian Army has strongly cautioned individuals impersonating the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on social media platforms. The military has vowed to take decisive action against these fraudulent activities.

The statement was issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Sunday in Abuja. He highlighted the alarming rise in cases of imposters falsely presenting themselves as the COAS on various social media platforms.

Rising Cases of Army Chief Impersonation

Nwachukwu revealed that these fraudsters have been exploiting the COAS’s official portrait as their profile picture to deceive the public. He noted that this is not the first instance of such impersonation attempts but emphasized a new fraudulent tactic that has emerged.

The latest scheme involves organizing fake online meetings through platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Facebook. During these virtual interactions, participants are asked to share numbers displayed on their screens. The fraudsters then use these details to establish direct contact with individuals and subsequently scam them.

List of Identified Fraudulent Phone Numbers

The Nigerian Army has identified multiple phone numbers linked to these fraudulent activities, including:

09033949238, 09075323836, 09074272745, 08169257155, 08064561495, 08054138812, 09161521558, 09026515718, 09020898622, 08131333263, 09077188584, 08084529752, 08147409236, 09136497898, 09024627712, 07010119398, 09138997224, 09061549129, 08163593764, 07035272009, 09018150412, 08093524443, and 08088120581.

Public Advisory: How to Stay Safe

The Nigerian Army has urged the public to be cautious and avoid participating in any online meetings that use the official portrait of the COAS as a display picture. Such engagements are likely to be fraudulent.

Additionally, the military has clarified that the Nigerian Army, like other branches of the Armed Forces, has specific communication protocols known to all officers and soldiers. The general public is advised to be aware of these official channels and avoid interactions with suspected scammers.

To report any suspicious activity or fraudulent mobile numbers, individuals can contact the Nigerian Army via their toll-free call center at 193 for immediate action.

Exercise Caution with Online Interactions

Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu also advised both military personnel and civilians to be highly cautious when engaging in social media discussions, online meetings, or phone calls that claim to be from the Nigerian Army hierarchy. He emphasized the importance of adhering to established communication protocols to prevent falling victim to cybercriminals.

For more information on cybersecurity and how to identify online scams, you can refer to this guide from a trusted cybersecurity source.

Conclusion

The Nigerian Army is actively working to combat online fraud involving impersonation of its top officers. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. By staying informed and cautious, individuals can help prevent cyber fraud and safeguard their personal information.