{"id":13375,"date":"2023-02-20T09:54:19","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T08:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=13375"},"modified":"2023-02-20T09:54:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T08:54:21","slug":"viral-tiktok-video-claiming-cbns-benin-branch-on-fire-false","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/viral-tiktok-video-claiming-cbns-benin-branch-on-fire-false\/","title":{"rendered":"Viral TikTok video claiming CBN\u2019s Benin branch on fire false"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Claim<\/strong>: A TikTok account Okey Dubai (@okeydubai1), shared a video<\/a> of a building on fire that is alleged to be the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Benin, Edo State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Verdict:<\/strong> The fire incident occurred at Next Cash and Carry complex in Abuja back in 2021, not the CBN branch building in Benin, Edo State. The claim is false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Text<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, February 8, amid the naira scarcity that has stretched many Nigerians thin, a TikTok account Okey Dubai (@okeydubai1), shared<\/a> a video of a fire burning from a building with a thick pillar of smoke as passersby wailed at the situation. The TikToker alleged that the incident was happening live at the Central Bank Branch in Benin State. In the clip, a voice behind the camera could be heard mourning the hopeless situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The video was captioned alongside the statement: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCentral Bank of Nigeria, Benin on fire. It\u2019s happening live today. 8\/2\/2023.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours after the video was shared, it went viral. As of the time of writing this report, it has had 14,000 shares with over 17,000 likes. This is understandable as news about the apex bank, naira designs, bank transfers, and cash have been trending lately since the CBN announced the phasing out old N1000, N500, and N200 notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem of naira scarcity began after people had deposited their cash in line with the first January 31 deadline, only to be told it had been extended, making many scrambles for whatever new notes were in circulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time sensitivity of the video stirred massive reactions from people on TikTok. While some people felt it was accurate information and bashed CBN for the scarcity of naira, others point out that the video was from another event unconnected with the apex bank branch in <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A TikToker, Hauwa (@hauwaidris33), argued that the location was not in Benin city but in Abuja:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis one is next cash and carry Abuja, not Benin.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Those who countered the video were lost in the din of people who ran with it as the false description fitted their sentiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

User (@user9249885215630) = believed the fire was an act of revolt against the cashless policy of the apex bank:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s wartime. Let them know CBN. ABUJA IS NEXT.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the other hand, @Splash had a comical and subtle reaction that pointed to the cash scarcity in the country. The TikToker said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMake person no burn my money o.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Timeline of issues surrounding the redesign of N1000, N500, and N200 notes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n