DUBAWA In-depth is an initiative that combines fact-checking and investigative journalism skills to address the growing challenge of information disorder. An in-depth investigation was introduced because the information we face regularly requires not just a simple reverse image search but also advanced tools, on-the-ground research, in-depth investigations, and multiple interviews.
This round-up article summarises the key insights from these in-depth reports and the impact of these falsehoods on communities, individuals, and public discourse.
- Living with toxins and reptiles from ‘garbage city,’ the story of Whein Town
DUBAWA opened the year with a deep dive into Whein Town. In this Liberian community, over 200,000 residents lived amidst mountains of waste and faced constant exposure to toxins, snakes, and vermin. Misleading claims about “community cleanup projects” on social media gave the false impression that authorities were addressing the crisis when, in reality, they weren’t. In case you missed the story, here are some major highlights for you:
- The Whein Town landfill was initially designed to serve for about five years, but it has been in use for over 20 years.
- Many people in Whein Town suffer from respiratory problems, infections, and injuries due to constant contact with waste and toxic fumes.
- While authorities provide minimal support for waste management, social media posts often exaggerate clean-up efforts, misleading the public and donors.
- Kaduna farmers wait endlessly as N10bn dairy project abandoned; Govt unable to provide answers
In July, we published a story on how Kaduna farmers have been left in limbo as a N10 billion government-funded Damau dairy project has been stalled for years. The uncertainty and gaps in official communication sparked rumours and misleading claims about project ownership and corruption. Here are some takeaways from the report:
- The Damau household dairy project was established to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts, improve food security, and boost local dairy production.
- It was planned to have 1,000 household farms with modern facilities, training, and foreign dairy cows.
- As of 2025, only 200 housing units had been started, and five pens had been built, but other promised infrastructure, such as schools, clinics, and markets, had not been delivered.
- Contractors abandoned the project due to financial issues, and the Kaduna state government has remained unresponsive to inquiries.
- The lack of transparency has created a fertile ground for false claims on social media.
- Inside Nigeria’s Amazon Clinic, run by a traditional birth attendant selling unapproved herbal mixtures
In August, we published an in-depth report on Amazon Nature Clinic, run by Bose Adegeye, who produces and sells unapproved herbal medicines while making scientifically implausible health claims. These are the things we found from our investigation:
- Bose is a traditional birth attendant and wellness practitioner, yet she produces and prescribes herbal treatments.
- Bose’s credentials allow her to practice as a Traditional Birth Attendant, not as a medical doctor or pharmacist.
- Her health claims, including one about noodles being “removed from the heart,” are scientifically implausible, raising concerns over misinformation and potential harm to patients.
- The herbal products sold are unregistered with NAFDAC, lack clinical testing, and include imported items for which no safety or efficacy has been verified.
- The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board promised to investigate her practices.
- Despite forbidding laws, Nigerian graduate openly markets charms for internet fraudsters on TikTok
This story was about a Nigerian entrepreneur, OlaXash, who markets spiritual charms for boosting the success of internet fraudsters on TikTok and Instagram. Despite explicit prohibitions in Nigerian law, her online promotion of these products highlights regulatory gaps and inadequate law enforcement. Key takeaways:
- OlaXash sells Oshole and other charms designed to “enhance” the activities of internet fraudsters, with prices ranging from N13,000 to N400,000, and provides detailed ritual instructions for usage.
- Nigerian laws, including Sections 210 and 213 of the Criminal Code and Section 27(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act, criminalise aiding or abetting fraud through such means, potentially exposing her to 14 years’ imprisonment and fines.
- TikTok is a primary platform for such promotions, exploiting algorithmic loopholes and cultural nuances to evade automated detection, despite bans on regulated or high-risk goods.
- Experts and EFCC officials emphasise that while traditional spiritual practices are legal, marketing them to support crime is illegal, urging more vigorous law enforcement, registration of practitioners, and proactive monitoring of online platforms.
- How Facebook, misinformation, and legal loopholes throw Nigerian women into the surrogacy ditch
In September, DUBAWA published another investigation exposing a flourishing surrogacy practice that promotes the exploitation of women in exchange for small pay in Nigeria. The report revealed how misinformation is weaponised to lure women into the practice, through Facebook groups. Below are some of our findings:
- Nigerian surrogacy agents are providing misleading assurances like “100 per cent safety guarantee,” despite known risks such as hypertension, preeclampsia, placenta issues, or death.
- They use Facebook groups as recruitment platforms.
- The absence of explicit criminalisation allows surrogacy agencies to operate legally in practice.
- Meta deleted surrogacy groups after the investigation, but hasn’t proactively prevented the proliferation of similar groups.
- Experts argue that, beyond deletion, Facebook should actively monitor regions such as Nigeria for surrogacy adverts and enforce stricter bans.
- Dubawa Indepth! Kollie’s dream at ‘Beggar’s Avenue:’ The plight of people living with disability in Liberia
Despite laws and policies meant to protect people living with disabilities (PWDs), this story unearthed a wide gap between official commitments and daily realities. From missing data to weak enforcement, the story exposed how silence, stigma, and neglect continue to shape the lives of the PWD communities in Liberia. Our findings show that:
- Government bodies do not keep data on the number of PWDs employed in the public sector.
- The four per cent employment quota for PWDs, mandated by law, is largely ignored, with less than two per cent representation in the legislature and only about 10 PWDs among over 500 recent government appointees.
- Although the Librarian law provides for three reserved legislative seats for PWDs, none have been implemented since 2005.
- Public buildings and training centres remain largely inaccessible, contradicting government claims of inclusion and forcing many PWDs to beg on the streets for survival.