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Claim: A Facebook user, Novice2STAR, alleged that the Federal Government has confirmed an outbreak of swarm birds and locusts in Lagos State.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s findings reveal that the Federal Government has not confirmed such an outbreak.
Full Text
On Jan. 30, 2025, a Facebook user, Novice2STAR, shared an image with the caption:
“FG has confirmed the outbreak of swarm birds and locusts in Lagos again.”
As of Feb. 5, 2025, the post had gained over 19,000 likes, 812 comments, and 130 shares, contributing to its widespread circulation.
The same image was later shared on Instagram by bantnation, further increasing its virality.
DUBAWA traced the image’s origin and found that it was first posted by an X (formerly Twitter) user ⒶⒹⒺⓎ (@adegotyou) on Jan. 30, 2025. On X, the post amassed over 300,000 views and 248 reposts as of Feb. 5, 2025.
Several X users reacted with scepticism. Sylvester A. Ekpen (@TheRealSylEkpen) dismissed the claim, commenting: “FAKE NEWS!” while another user, Premier (@Premier_100), wrote: “Can’t be real.”
Given the potential impact of such claims on agriculture and food security and their virality, DUBAWA conducted a fact check.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a keyword search using “Swarm birds + locusts + Lagos State” but found no relevant reports. Additionally, no credible media organisation has published any news confirming the alleged outbreak.
However, DUBAWA discovered that available report on such outbreaks was reported in 2022 by the Daily Post and Daily Trust newspapers in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
DUBAWA searched the X handle of Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, but found no posts related to the claim.
A review of the X handle of Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, also revealed no posts mentioning swarm birds or locusts as of Feb. 5, 2025.
Furthermore, DUBAWA contacted the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson, Adenike Sodipo, via phone. When asked about the claim, she responded:
“I am not aware, I can’t confirm.”
Conclusion
There is no official confirmation from the Federal Government of an outbreak of swarm birds and locusts in Lagos. The claim is false.
