Weekly round-up: Top six claims verified this week 

As misinformation continues to swirl across social media platforms, this week was no exception. From fabricated stories to AI-generated videos and photos wrongly attributed, several misleading stories grabbed public attention. 

Here’s a breakdown of the top misleading claims that were debunked this week:

1. Kidnappers arrested after relationship with victim

A Facebook page shared an image of two men claiming they were Fulani kidnappers apprehended after falling in love with their victims. Part of the post’s caption read “Just In: Two Hausa-Fulani kidnappers who fell in love with their victims after raping them have been arrested in Kaduna.”

DUBAWA checked and saw that the image was taken during the arrest of two terrorists by the Nigerian Police in 2022. The arrest happened in Taraba State, not Kaduna. They were arrested in connection with kidnapping and banditry carried out in Taraba, Adamawa, and Gombe States, not linked to their victims as claimed.

2. Viral photos of Osimhen, Nicki Minaj, Al-generated

In Sierra Leone, a Facebook page, Sierra Phoenix, posted viral photos of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Nicki Minaj in a post-match pose, claiming the duo had taken them just after Nigeria’s defeat. 

The claim reads: “Nikki Minaj and Osimhen met in Morocco…Although Nigeria lost, at least he got to meet some beautiful people.”

Reverse image search and other verification tools revealed that  AI generated the images, and no evidence was found to confirm that Nicki Minaj and Osimhen posed for photos after Nigeria’s defeat to Morocco.

3. Seun Okinbaloye detained over controversial interview

A Facebook user shared a Punch report that fans are advocating for the release of Channels TV host Seun Okinbaloye following a controversial interview. “Fans advocate for Seun Okinbaloye’s release after controversial interview,” the headline of the publication reads.

DUBAWA’s findings show that Punch newspaper never published such an article about the Channels Television journalist. Furthermore, contrary to the report that Seun made controversial statements in an interview warranting his arrest, details of the original interview show that the “Politics Today” host discussed his career growth. 

4. Defence minister warns governors over terrorists’ negotiation

A Facebook user recently shared a short video purportedly showing Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, issuing a stern warning against negotiations with bandits.

“Any State governor that negotiates with the bandit terrorists, the governor is a member of the terrorist group; we would withdraw soldiers from that State,” Gen. Musa allegedly warned in the video.

DUBAWA’s analysis found that the video contains multiple visual inconsistencies. AI detection tools further flagged the video as likely manipulated. Additionally, no credible media outlet or official Defence Headquarters channel reported the alleged statement.

5. US lawmaker proposes Nigeria’s division as a solution to ‘Christian genocide’

A Facebook page shared a video of Riley Moore, West Virginia’s second congressional district representative, addressing the United States (US) Congress. The post claimed the 45-year-old lawmaker said he’ll advise Trump to push for the division of Nigeria in response to the insecurity targeting Christian communities in the country.

We checked, and DUBAWA’s findings revealed that Riley Moore did not intend to convince Donald Trump of Nigeria’s secession as a policy response to the country’s insecurity.

6. Nigerian agency warns of “extreme air pollution” during harmattan

A viral WhatsApp message allegedly from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns Nigerians about the current extreme air pollution, which is harmful to health.

Parts of the message read, “Dear Sir/Madam, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has informed us that the current weather is not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution that is harmful to health.”

DUBAWA saw that the claim is a recirculating, old one. There is no agency in Nigeria like the Environmental Protection Agency. We also conducted a keyword search and observed that no credible media organisation reported such an announcement or warning.