As trends and issues emerge online, misinformation and disinformation continue to spread. These claims, flimsy or not, influence public conversations.
Below are the major claims that DUBAWA fact-checked this week.
- Liberian President Boakai in wheelchair at Istanbul airport
An X post shared an image of Liberian President Joseph Boakai, seated in a wheelchair, all by himself at Istanbul airport.
However, DUBAWA investigated the image and found that it was manipulated.
Furthermore, the presidential press secretary, Kula Fofana, told DUBAWA that the claim is false.
Read the full details here.
- Fire guts National Theatre in Lagos
A Facebook user, Judith Amu, shared a clip alleging that the National Theatre in Lagos recently caught fire.
DUBAWA discovered that no credible Nigerian news outlet or emergency agency reported the alleged incident. We also used an AI video detection tool, which indicated that the video was digitally manipulated.
Read the full details here.
- Image of kidnapped victims, taken in Sokoto
A Facebook user, Ibrahim Garkuwan Danchadi Danchadi, shared an image of slain victims of abduction and claimed they were killed in Kurawa village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
DUBAWA checked credible news sources on the incident but found none. We contacted the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufa’i, who dismissed the allegation as untrue.
We further conducted a digital analysis of the image and discovered it was from a military operation conducted by the Defence and Security Forces (FAN) in the Tillabéri Region of the Niger Republic.
Read the full details here.
- Over 350 Christians slaughtered in Niger State
Less than a year ago, assertions were widely made of genocidal attacks in Nigeria, which caused the death of many and instilled fear in others.
Against this backdrop, an X user, @corefrontline, claimed that Fulani jihadists slaughtered more than 350 Christians in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
DUBAWA verified the claim and found that the incident was neither a communal clash nor a religious attack as claimed. Meanwhile, the reported death toll remains unverified.
Read full details here.
- Nigeria, Kenya to be part of US-Iran war
Tension between Iran and the United States has remained high following a series of military confrontations, diplomatic disagreements, and retaliatory actions.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, a Facebook user, CMN, claimed Iran announced Kenya and Nigeria would join the war.
DUBAWA fact-checked the claim and discovered the statement originated from a now-deleted post by Iran’s state-owned broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). It quoted an unidentified international affairs expert and not the Iranian government.
Read the full details here.