Misinformation spreads online and offline daily, showing the need for Media and Information Literacy and verification.
Here are some claims fact-checked by DUBAWA in the past week.
- Diddy is dead
A viral Facebook post claims that American rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs had passed away. The post also included an external link.
Our investigation revealed he is alive and currently being held at a detention centre in Brooklyn without bail. There has been no official confirmation of his death from any credible source, including the government, family, or verified media outlets. He has also been actively referenced in recent news reports about an ongoing federal investigation.
- Sierra Leonean TikToker Peter Komba linked up with Lionel Messi
A viral post by Benjamin’s Blog claimed that Peter Komba has linked up with Lionel Messi.
The blog shared three photos of Peter Komba in a white vest, sitting beside Lionel Messi, with the caption: “Wow!! Peter A. Komba linked up with Leonel Messi.” He added, “What a privilege for Messi; Messi’s dream has finally come to pass.”
However, DUBAWA found no evidence of the claim and the picture was Al-generated.
- Indonesians are hanging Nigerians for drug-related offences.
A video allegedly showing how Nigerians are being hanged to death in Indonesia for drug-related offences has been making the rounds on Facebook.
The 4-minute video featured an Igbo clergyman who warned Nigerians living in Indonesia to stay away from crime to avoid being punished to death in this manner.
DUBAWA investigated and found that the video has no connection to Nigerians, drugs, or any capital punishment in Indonesia. Instead, it was taken from an advertisement for a Spanish company that produces Halloween props for entertainment.
- Trump ordered foreign visitors to leave the U.S. after the 2026 FIFA World Cup
A viral Facebook post claimed that Donald J. Trump has warned all visitors planning to attend the 2026 World Cup to leave the United States immediately after the tournament’s end.
However, when we checked, we saw no official statement, policy, or credible news report supporting the claim that Donald Trump issued such an order.
- Liberia’s Speaker Koon’s convoy killed a motorcyclist
A Facebook user, Yekeh Kolubah, in a social media post claimed that House Speaker Richard Koon’s convoy killed a motorcyclist.
DUBAWA contacted the authorities of the Liberia National Police to verify the claim, but they denied knowing of such an accident. Our researcher also visited the scene and asked residents about the claim, to which they responded that they did not know.
Also, the District office of the Speaker denied the allegation as false in a communication signed by the district coordinator. There have also been no media publications of the House speaker’s convoy getting involved in an accident or killing a motorcyclist.
Read more here.