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Claim: Social media users shared a video of a mining site, claiming it was located in Zamfara state.
Verdict: Misleading! DUBAWA’s research revealed that the video was actually captured in Sierra Leone, not Zamfara, as claimed.
Full Text
Africa is blessed with abundant natural resources, including diamonds, gold, ore, titanium, and fertile agricultural land.
Despite this, many countries on the continent continue to struggle with harsh economic conditions, with only a few experiencing significant economic growth.
Recently, a video went viral on social media showing a white man alongside some Africans on a mining site.
In the clip, the white man was seen seated beside a police officer in a camouflage uniform holding a gun. He thereafter showed the man in an office setting, inspecting the refined diamond.
A social media user who shared the video claimed the location was a mining site in Zamfara and suggested that it highlighted the illegal mining ongoing in the state.
Another Facebook page, This is Bendel, shared the video with the caption, “Gold and precious stones mining in Zamfara. This is a multi-million-dollar gold and precious stones mining site in Zamfara. This is the same site that brought banditry to Nigeria“.
The video was also shared on these platforms: here, here, and here.
Given the topicality of the issue and its virality, DUBAWA investigated it to verify its accuracy.
Verification
DUBAWA observed a text overlay on the video: a website URL: www.bossb.gold. We conducted a reverse image search on keyframes from the video, and the result directed us to the original page where the video was shared on TikTok, Boss B bno11111111.
The video was shared on Sept. 24, 2024, and it generated several reactions, as many users had conflicting opinions on the site’s location. While some claimed it was Zamfara State, Nigeria, others mentioned South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ghana, among others.
DUBAWA studied the topography of the site captured in the video and observed that, based on the activities, it was a mining site. The video appeared to be a combination of clips captured at different times or in different mining sites, but most significantly, it featured an opening that resembled a lake.
One user in the comment suggested that the video may have been captured at the Diamond mining site in Motema, Kono. DUBAWA input this information into Google Earth. While a Street View option was not available to view this area, DUBAWA used the 3D feature, which bore almost the exact features as the small opening shown in the video.
Additionally, a YouTube vlog post featured an aerial view of the diamond mining site, as illustrated in the collage below.
Additionally, DUBAWA researched the main character in the video and discovered that his name was Baki Baliu, an Albanian from Mitrovica, Kosovo. In several interviews, Baki confirmed that though he is from Kosovo, he now works and lives in Sierra Leone and owns two mines in the West African country.
A closer look at his TikTok page revealed the business tycoon at one point on a boat, displaying a Sierra Leonean flag, while his car’s license plate also featured a resemblance to the country’s emblem.
Several videos of Baki were captured in various locations throughout Sierra Leone, including a rehabilitation center for children and hotels.
In one interview, he explained that he once opened a company for recycling tyres in his home country (Kosovo), but the government eventually shut it down. He added that he relocated to Africa thereafter, where he now owns two mining sites.
A TV call-in show also featured Baki and his workers at his mining site. Although the conversation was in Albanian, the presenters and the businessman spoke about the site located in Sierra Leone.
In 2023, Baki posted a video with the caption suggesting he had just started working at a mining site in Sierra Leone, urging those who want to be successful to visit the West African country.
The users who claimed it was captured in Nigeria relied on the police uniform worn by the officer who sat close to the main character in the video. The officer was wearing a camouflage uniform, which is quite common among Nigerian police officers.
Other videos on Baki’s TikTok page showed him moving with security details, and the uniform appears similar to the one worn by the officer in the viral video. In this video, the officer was wearing a camouflage uniform with a red cap; on his shoulder was a badge containing the flag of Sierra Leone. Other videos featuring Baki and his security details can be found here, here, and here.
Initially, the NPF’s official uniform consisted of black attire, including a black beret, a sky blue shirt, black trousers or a skirt, and a camouflage uniform.
However, this is not unique to the NPF, as police officers in Sierra Leone wear camouflage as part of their uniforms. A look at the official Facebook page of the Sierra Leone Police reveals officers wearing camouflage uniforms.
In a 2018 news article, Sierra Leonean police officers are depicted in a display picture wearing camouflage uniforms with red caps.
Conclusion
The viral video of a mining site allegedly from Zamfara State in Nigeria actually originated from Sierra Leone. Therefore, the claim is misleading.
