By Headlinenews.news Investigations Desk
November 6, 2025
Headlinenews.news has confirmed that a viral message circulating across social media—purportedly from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth—is false and misleading. The lengthy document, titled “A Message to the American People and the World,” is not an official U.S. government statement and does not appear on any verified or official platforms.
No Record on U.S. Government Channels
Following an extensive review, Headlinenews.news found no trace of the message on the official websites of the U.S. Department of Defense (defense.gov), the newly styled Department of War (war.mil), the White House, or any verified accounts belonging to Secretary Pete Hegseth.
If such a declaration had truly been issued, it would have appeared simultaneously across these channels and been immediately covered by major international media outlets. Instead, the viral post is found only on social media pages and user-generated sites—an unmistakable hallmark of online misinformation.
What the U.S. Government Actually Said
Official records confirm that President Trump recently re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over violations of religious freedom. That move, made public on October 31, 2025, was accompanied by tough rhetoric on the need to protect persecuted communities.
However, there is no official military order, operational plan, or declaration of intervention—and certainly no sweeping “war statement” resembling the viral text.
False and Exaggerated Claims
Headlinenews.news cross-checked the statistics quoted in the viral message—including claims that “125,000 Christians have been killed” and “19,000 churches destroyed.”
These numbers are unverified and inflated, drawn from fringe advocacy pages rather than reliable international or Nigerian data sources. Established organizations such as Open Doors and Amnesty International report severe violence against civilians of multiple faiths in Nigeria, but the figures are far lower and lack evidence of systematic genocide on the claimed scale.
Equally, several detailed stories and casualty accounts in the fake statement could not be corroborated by credible Nigerian or global news outlets. Many appear to have been fabricated to stoke outrage and fear.
Propaganda and Panic
Our investigation shows that certain groups and individuals are exploiting the current U.S.–Nigeria tensions to circulate false and sensational material online.
By amplifying fabricated statements and exaggerated death tolls, these actors aim to create panic among Nigerians, divide communities, and discredit international partners.
The public—especially Nigerian citizens, the diaspora, and global observers—should treat any dramatic post not originating from an official government channel as false. Unverified content shared through WhatsApp, Facebook, or X (Twitter) is not evidence and often serves political or sectarian agendas.
Headlinenews.news Statement
Headlinenews.news urges all readers:
> Do not believe or forward any message claiming to come from the U.S. Secretary of War unless it appears on official U.S. government websites or verified media feeds.
The viral document is not genuine. It contains false data, fabricated incidents, and inflammatory rhetoric. Some unpatriotic elements are deliberately spreading such content to undermine public trust and incite fear.
Headlinenews.news will continue to monitor and investigate this developing situation, verify all claims, and expose disinformation targeting Nigerians and the international community.
Dr. Imran Khazaly
The National Patriots
www.headlinenews.news
