The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, said modern conflicts are no longer won by firepower alone, stressing that superior information, intelligence, technology and control of the information space have become critical to achieving success on the battlefield.
Speaking at the 2026 Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference in Abuja, Oluyede said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is investing heavily in non-kinetic capabilities to strengthen national security and stay ahead of emerging threats.
The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” focused on the growing role of technology and intelligence in contemporary military operations.
According to the CDS, security operations are increasingly fought in both physical and information domains.
“Today, battles are no longer won by firepower alone. They are won by superior information, real-time intelligence, technological dominance, cyber resilience and the ability to control the narrative space,” he said.
General Oluyede disclosed that the military is expanding its use of space-based surveillance, geospatial intelligence, artificial intelligence-enabled decision support systems and joint intelligence fusion capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness.
He said recent initiatives include the strengthening of the Defence Space Administration, expansion of modular earth observation outposts in operational theatres, establishment of the Defence Space School for human capital development and integration of advanced surveillance systems into military operations.
The CDS, however, expressed concern over the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create fake videos, manipulated images, cloned voices and false operational claims aimed at misleading the public and undermining military efforts.
According to him, such content has become a potent tool of psychological warfare capable of eroding public confidence in the Armed Forces and creating panic among citizens.
“A single AI-generated video can undo months of operational gains, endanger troops and cause panic in communities. These deepfakes are not mere misinformation; they are weapons of psychological warfare,” he said.
General Oluyede called on members of DECAN to partner with the military in combating the spread of fake AI-generated content and other forms of misinformation.
He urged defence correspondents to verify sensitive operational information with Defence Headquarters before publication and to prioritise accuracy over speed.
The CDS also encouraged journalists to promote intelligence-led reporting and use their platforms to educate the public on identifying and rejecting synthetic media and false information.
While commending DECAN for sustaining professionalism in defence reporting, he reiterated the military’s commitment to transparency, timely information sharing and collaboration with the media.
He noted that effective cooperation between the Armed Forces, the media and citizens remains essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and strengthening national security.
