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As social media continues to be flooded daily with news that spreads like wildfire, it is becoming harder to tell what is true and what is not.
This week, we looked closely at some of the biggest stories that made the rounds, from a viral kissing video wrongly linked to a Nigerian senator to false claims about President Tinubu reinstating Governor Fubara.
Here is a summary of our findings on these claims.
- Viral video of federal lawmaker, Senator Sahabi Yau, kissing unknown lady
During the week, a video showing a man kissing a woman in a dimly lit room surfaced online, which quickly gained attention as users claimed the man was Senator Sahabi Yau from Zamfara State.
The footage sparked public outrage, with many questioning the conduct of public officials and calling for accountability. Some also used the moment to raise broader concerns about the moral standards expected from lawmakers.
However, DUBAWA’s investigation revealed the claim is misleading. A detailed review of the video, including facial features and physical appearance, indicates the man in the footage is not Senator Yau. Read more here.
- Website offering free laptops to students
A WhatsApp message recently went viral, claiming that more than 960,000 students could receive free laptops by simply clicking a link and filling out an online form. The message included a website link that appeared to be part of a government or educational support program.
The offer, which quickly gained attention among students and parents, promised laptops in celebration of a supposed national education initiative.
However, DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that the website is a phishing scam designed to harvest users’ personal information. The domain was flagged for suspicious activity, and the webpage lacked affiliation with legitimate government or educational institutions.
Click here for more.
- Sahara Reporters Share Texas Woman’s Photo as Sharia Law Victim in Zamfara
Sahara Reporters recently published a story claiming that a Christian convert named Zainab Muhammadu was facing trial under Sharia law in Zamfara state, Nigeria
The story quickly went viral, stirring outrage, concerns and drawing massive attention across social media platforms.
However, DUBAWA’s investigation found that the image used was misleading. A reverse image search revealed that the photo was of a lady from Texas, USA, not Nigeria who has no links to any Sharia-related case in Zamfara or elsewhere in Nigeria and the state’s governor spokesperson also debunked the claim.
Read more here.
- President Tinubu has reinstated Governor Fubara
A claim circulated widely on social media asserted that President Bola Tinubu has reinstated Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State after he was suspended alongside his deputy and elected members of the state legislature.
The claim gained traction after multiple users shared graphics and captions implying that the president had intervened in the crisis and returned Fubara to office.
However, DUBAWA’s findings found no official statement, press release, or credible news report confirming that President Tinubu made such a move.
Read more here
- Doctored image falsely shows Peter Obi kneeling before Tinubu at the Vatican
A viral online image shows former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi allegedly kneeling before President Bola Tinubu at a religious gathering in the Vatican. The image quickly gained traction, fueling narratives about political submission and alliance.
However, a fact-check by DUBAWA revealed that the image was doctored. Through a Google Reverse Image Search, DUBAWA traced the original photo to a Catholic Mass held at the Vatican in 2019, where Peter Obi was indeed present. The original image shows Obi kneeling in prayer, but Tinubu is never present. The version making the rounds online was digitally altered to include Tinubu, thereby creating a false impression.
Read more here.
