By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

The Sifawa Development Forum (SDF) has strongly condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign of falsehoods, doctored video clips and malicious propaganda targeting Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff and the Zarumman Sokoto.

In a press briefing held in Sokoto on Friday, the Forum said the circulation of what it termed fabricated and misleading materials by certain individuals, and their amplification by some media platforms, amounted to a deliberate attempt to smear the reputation of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished military officers.

Speaking on behalf of the Sifawa community and the wider people of Sokoto State, the SDF said it would not remain silent while the legacy of a respected son of the state was subjected to what it called politically or selfishly motivated attacks.

The Forum stressed that the Nigerian Army is an institution anchored on discipline, merit, due process and constitutional responsibility, values it said guided Lt. Gen. Yahaya throughout his more than three decades of service.

According to the SDF, no amount of misinformation or propaganda can diminish the standing of the former Army Chief, whom it described as a symbol of integrity, patriotism and professionalism.

It dismissed the circulating videos and narratives as lacking credibility, context and authenticity, insisting they were crafted solely to erode public confidence in senior military officers and undermine national security institutions.

The Forum warned that attempts to tarnish the image of respected generals of the Nigerian Army constitute a broader attack on the credibility and honour of the Armed Forces.

Reiterating that Lt. Gen. Yahaya’s service record is verifiable and unblemished, the SDF said those behind the allegations should be ashamed of promoting claims that contradict his well-documented career trajectory.

The Forum highlighted several command and staff positions held by the retired Army Chief, including Garrison Commander of the Guards Brigade Garrison, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and Principal General Staff Officer to the Minister of Defence between 2014 and 2015.

He also served as Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade, and Task Force Commander of Operation PULO SHIELD, Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Borgozo in 2016, Director of Manpower and Planning at Army Headquarters, and Military Secretary (Army) from 2017 to 2018.

Lt. Gen. Yahaya later served as General Officer Commanding, 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna, between 2019 and 2020, before his appointment as Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, later renamed Operation Hadin Kai, where he led key counter-terrorism operations in the North East.

The SDF noted that his appointment as Chief of Army Staff in May 2021 reflected his competence, loyalty and leadership, adding that his tenure between 2021 and 2023 brought discipline, strategic focus and operational gains across several theatres.

The Forum further credited him with mentoring and grooming officers who later rose to occupy top positions within Nigeria’s military and defence structure, including the late Lt. Gen. T.A. Lagbaja, his successor as Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, now Chief of Defence Staff, and Maj. Gen. C.G. Musa, who also rose to CDS and currently serves as Minister of Defence.

According to the SDF, this record of mentorship underscores Lt. Gen. Yahaya’s commitment to institutional development and meritocracy within the Nigerian Army.

The Forum urged Nigerians and media organisations to disregard what it described as baseless propaganda, stressing that decades of verifiable national service cannot be erased by manipulated content.

It reaffirmed that Lt. Gen. Yahaya comes from a disciplined and reputable family, a fact it said is widely acknowledged within the Armed Forces, and insisted that his contributions to national security and military professionalism remain intact.

In its closing remarks, the SDF declared its full solidarity with the former Army Chief and warned that it would support legal action if those behind the alleged smear campaign fail to issue a public apology.

The Forum also called on journalists and media practitioners to uphold ethical standards, warning that irresponsible reporting damages reputations and weakens national institutions vital to Nigeria’s stability.

It concluded that the legacy of Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya remains unshaken, defined by discipline, courage, excellence and distinguished leadership.