Weekly Round-Up: Trending claims DUBAWA verified this week

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Amarachi Onwuzulike

The continuous spread of misinformation across social media and other platforms underscores the critical need for verification, media literacy, and information literacy. 

This week, DUBAWA investigated several viral claims that attracted widespread attention. From AI-generated videos designed to mislead audiences to false claims shared as facts. Our fact-checks uncovered how manipulated content and misinformation continue to shape online conversations.  

Here’s a breakdown of the top claims DUBAWA debunked this week. 

1. Video of arms interception between Benue and Kwara

A Facebook user shared a video claiming that soldiers intercepted a vehicle transporting arms and ammunition concealed inside a coffin while travelling from Benue to Kwara State.

DUBAWA’s analysis reveals the video was AI-generated and did not depict a real security operation. 

2. VDM praised South Africa for an HIV Cure

 A video circulating on social media purportedly showed Nigerian social media personality Martins Vincent Otse praising South Africa for discovering a cure for HIV and urging African leaders to celebrate the achievement.

DUBAWA analysed the footage and found it was a deepfake. There is also no known cure for HIV so far.  Read more here.

3. Federal Government scrapped JSS and SSS education

Following concerns by the Federal Government over the high number of students dropping out before reaching Senior Secondary School (SSS), an online blog claimed that the government had abolished the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) system.

DUBAWA reviewed the Minister of Education’s statement and found that the government did not announce the immediate scrapping of JSS and SSS. Instead, it proposed phasing out the policy separating JSS and SSS as distinct administrative structures, with the proposal still subject to approval by the National Council on Education.

We, therefore, found the claim to be misleading. Read more here.

4. Bandit attack on Lambar, Charanci, Katsina State

A viral social media post claimed that armed bandits had attacked Lambar in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State, causing panic among residents.

DUBAWA examined the claim by reviewing reports from credible media outlets and official security sources. The investigation found no evidence that such an attack occurred in Lambar, and the available information contradicted the viral narrative. Authorities also dismissed the claim as false.

We found out that there is no credible evidence of a bandit attack on Lambar in Charanchi Local Government Area. Read more here.

5. Recent video of girl apprehended for murder 

A viral video circulating on social media claimed to show a young girl who had recently been apprehended for murder, with users presenting the footage as a current incident.

DUBAWA investigated the claim and found that the video was old and had resurfaced online with a false, recent context. 

We found no evidence linking the footage to a recent murder case. Read more here.