By Jude Opara
The Nigerian Defence Academy has alerted Nigerians to the activities of fraudsters impersonating its Commandant, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, on social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The Academy said the criminal elements were using platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to falsely offer contracts in the name of the Commandant.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Academy Public Relations Officer, Major Reuben Kovangiya, the NDA described the development as a calculated scheme aimed at deceiving individuals and extorting money.
“The Academy wishes to unambiguously state that the said accounts are schemes created with the intent to deceive and defraud individuals of their hard-earned resources,” the statement read.
It warned members of the public to desist from engaging with such accounts, stressing that any interaction would be at the individual’s risk.
“The NDA will not be held liable for any resulting loss,” Kovangiya added.
The Academy further clarified that all its official communications are disseminated only through verified channels, including its website and recognised social media handles, as well as reputable national newspapers.
It also emphasised that the Commandant does not conduct official engagements or communications via personal social media accounts or unofficial platforms.
The NDA urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities to curb the growing trend of online impersonation and fraud.
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