In the last week of July 2026, DUBAWA fact-checked several claims across social media pages in Nigeria and other West African countries.
From videos circulating online claiming there is a new terrorist group in Nigeria to claims that the price of food items increased in The Gambia, DUBAWA’s fact-checking efforts contributed significantly towards sanitising the information landscape this week.
Below are some of the claims fact-checked this week:
- Video shows new terrorist group in Nigeria
A Facebook user shared a video claiming it portrayed activities of a new terrorist group in Nigeria. The caption on the video urged users, particularly Nigerians, to be very cautious and vigilant about the activities of this new terrorist group.
This claim drew the attention of users who expressed fear and concern for their safety. However, when DUBAWA x-rayed the claim, we found that the video originated from Sudan and has no connection to Nigeria.
Read more here.
- INEC opened new voter registration link
A message which has now gone viral on WhatsApp claimed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened a new online voter registration portal for 2026.
This came amid the commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which allows eligible Nigerians to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or update their voter information.
DUBAWA observed that the website link in the viral message was hosted on a different domain. Further investigations showed the website had traces of phishing tactics. Read more about our findings here.
- Messi cried after World Cup final
Weeks after the FIFA World Cup final where Spain defeated Argentina, a video went viral purportedly showing Lionel Messi crying and accusing the referee of cheating against Argentina.
The video sparked debate on social media, but when DUBAWA checked, we found it had been generated using Artificial Intelligence. Click here for more information.
- Food item prices on the rise in Gambia
In Gambia, a Facebook user shared a picture showing an increase in the prices of some food items. In the caption attached to the post, the user lamented that the price of ‘everything’ is increasing. We observed that while some users agreed with him in the comment section, others argued, highlighting the cost of the same items in their own regions.
DUBAWA’s investigation showed that while the prices of some items have increased, others are relatively stable across different regions. Read more here.
- Man campaigns against Darboe’s presidency
A picture that went viral on Facebook showed a man holding a placard campaigning against Ousainou Darboe, a former Vice President of The Gambia and a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election.
The placard had read, “Lawyer Darboe is the problem in The Gambia. Let no one vote for him.”
However, DUBAWA’s investigation led us to the original image, which had been taken in April 2026 during a protest. In the original image, the placard the man was holding contained an entirely different inscription. Find more information here.