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As people continue to share mis- and disinformation across all social media platforms, DUBAWA verified several public assertions shared during the last week.
Below are some of the major ones:
- Facebook video suggesting Pope Francis was aided during ritual rites
Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025, and was buried on Saturday, April 26, 2025. However, two days before he was laid to rest, a Facebook user, Relindis Nen, shared a video and claimed the Pontiff was supported while performing spiritual rites.
The clip shows a man draped in a priestly robe and supported by two other priests while performing the rites.
DUBAWA discovered the clip was initially posted on Feb. 1, 2022, by a Facebook page identified as Lumen Gentium. The original caption, which was written in Portuguese, referenced the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Elias II, and not Pope Francis. Click here for more details.
- Fulani herders razed the biggest yam market in Plateau State
In April 2025, about 51 persons were reportedly killed in militant attack in Plateau State. This was less than two weeks after another 52 persons lost their lives when armed men struck the Bokkos area of the state.
Amidst the massacre, a Facebook user, Anyi Best, posted an image on the IPOB Community Radio page. Anyi claimed that Fulani herders razed down the largest yam market in the world, located in Plateau State.
DUBAWA’s findings reveal the image had been online since April 2021. It was initially shared on Facebook. Daily Trust reported that it was connected to a fire outbreak at the Namu Central Yam Market in the Qua’anpan Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Read more here.
- A candidate vying for office in Liberia must be a registered voter of the constituency they represent
Liberian aspirant Justin Yeazehn, popularly known as Prophet Key, was disqualified from the April 22 Nimba County Senatorial by-election, which triggered public reactions on social media.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) disqualified Yeazehn for submitting a fraudulent Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) ID during the nomination process.
Amidst the development, a Facebook user, B Boima Magona, claimed that any candidate vying for election must be a registered voter of the constituency they seek to represent.
DUBAWA contacted Prince Dunbar, the National Election Commission’s Director of Communication, to verify the claim. In a response, the NEC Communication Director referred DUBAWA to article 30 of the 1986 Liberian constitution and article 8 of the NEC Candidate Nomination Regulation.
According to Article 30, Liberian citizens are eligible to become members of the Legislature if they are at least 30 and 25 years old for the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. However, the law does not require a candidate to be a registered voter of the specific constituency.
Click here for more details.
- Catholic cardinals smoking during Pope Francis’ burial
Following the death of Pope Francis, an X user, @djmsafi, shared a picture of two catholic cardinals smoking at the late Pontiff’s burial.
The post drew diverse reactions as some opined that it is simply the way of European culture, while some thought the cigarettes were fake.
However, DUBAWA discovered the image has been on Reddit since 2013.
Read more here.
- AFRICOM issued an arrest warrant to Burkina Faso’s military leader
A Facebook handle, Sierra Gist TV, shared a now-viral post claiming the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Michael Langley, issued an arrest warrant to Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traore.
The post further alleged that Traore was using his country’s gold reserve to protect himself rather than enriching the country.
DUBAWA reviewed AFRICOM’s website and found no official statement or press release that affirms an arrest warrant against the military leader.
Moreover, AFRICOM is a U.S. Department of Defence military command that coordinates operations and security cooperation in Africa. It is not a law enforcement outfit and lacks jurisdiction to issue arrest warrants, especially for foreign sovereign leaders.
DUBAWA conducted cross-checks on reputable global news platforms such as British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cable News Network (CNN), Reuters, and Al Jazeera, and found out none of them reported the alleged event.
Click here for more.
