Photo source: DUBAWA.
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As misinformation continues to flow across social media platforms, this week brought a wave of videos and photos falsely attributed to AI, as well as political misinformation. While several of these were misleading stories, they grabbed public attention in Nigeria and beyond. The Israel-Iran war continues to top the narratives.
Here’s a breakdown of the top misleading claims that were debunked this week:
- Donald Trump’s convoy was attacked by Iranian operatives
A viral social media post states that Trump’s convoy was ambushed by Iranian operatives, leading to a violent incident in which over 248 people were injured and at least 10 killed. The post was accompanied by images showing damaged vehicles and a supposed convoy attack.
When we checked, we found no credible evidence to support the claim. We also examined the images attached to the viral post and found them to be manipulated. Additionally, another image used that showed a convoy with futuristic vehicles is misrepresented.
- Viral video of Seyi Tinubu praising Tinubu’s administration
A page on Facebook shared a video of President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, appreciating Nigeria’s support for Tinubu’s leadership. He further assured Nigerians of the president’s capability to govern the Nation.
We fact-checked and found it was an old 2023 video unrelated to the recent fuel hike.
Read more here
- Tinubu pledges support for Iran–Israel War participants
A Facebook blog posted that the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, said he will give his full support to any of the fighting parties in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.
However, our findings show that Tinubu did not make the statement attributed to him about supporting parties in the conflict. Nigeria’s official position emphasises diplomacy and de-escalation.
- Trump criticises Tinubu over Maiduguri bomb blast
An X user shared a post showing United States (US) President Donald Trump’s alleged criticism of Tinubu’s shambolic security management in the country.
“The situation in Nigeria is a TOTAL DISASTER. Massive, coordinated suicide bombing tonight in Maiduguri. A hospital, a major market, the post office— all hit! Many innocent people killed,” part of Trump’s alleged post reads.
DUBAWA scrutinised Trump’s recent posts on Truth Social—a social media platform Trump founded and launched in February 2022—and noticed that his comments have focused on the US-Iranian war and domestic politics. None of his posts is linked to insecurity in Nigeria or its government.
- Obasanjo dead, and included digital investment platform in his will
A Facebook page shared a sponsored advert claiming that the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, is dead.
A website link was posted along with the claim, with an image of a court document serving as the link’s thumbnail. The thumbnail also stated that a hidden clause inserted in the former president’s will would shock everyone.
DUBAWA found it to be false. No credible media platform reported the veteran’s death or the availability of his will. Also, analyses revealed that the website is a malicious duplicate of the original Vanguard newspaper, created to promote an investment platform.
- North Korea loaned Nigeria £50 billion
An X user claimed that the Nigerian government has just received a £50 billion loan from the Government of North Korea.
DUBAWA searched and found no public record of Nigeria borrowing money from North Korea. Apart from that, North Korea lacks the financial capacity to provide that amount to any country. Even if it did, North Korea is legally restricted by the UN from loaning money to Nigeria or any other UN member country.
