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Photos of released Kogi kidnap victims not AI-generated

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Photos of released Kogi kidnap victims not AI-generated

ON January 14, an X user, @RealQueenBee_, posted pictures showing some malnourished young children and parents with a claim that they were victims released by kidnappers in Kogi State.

She posted the claim with a caption :

“MY HEART IS BLEEDING. Three have already died, 13 still in captivity, these are kidnnaped victims release today in Kogi State. The APC and Bola Tinubu would rather spend millions $m lobbying the United States that there’s no insecurity than using it secure Nigerians.”

However, a verified X user, @mariolexxx, quoted her post and claimed that the images were AI-generated.

“Make una stop to dey share AI pictures. Some mumu Nigerians won’t even bother to verify it but rather jump on the bandwagon,” the X user posted.

READ: Claim that Kogi is the poorest Nigerian state is FALSE!

As of January 17, 2026. His quote has generated over 9500 views and 83 likes.

CLAIM

Images claim malnourished individuals in and around a vehicle are AI-generated and not real victims of kidnapping in Kogi state.

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The ICIR reported that on Sunday, December 14, 2025, armed men on motorcycles attacked the Ayetoro-Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu LGA of Kogi State. They abducted at least 30 residents, mostly children and elderly worshippers. The attackers stormed homes and churches before fleeing through nearby forests.

On January 1, 2026, seven victims were released after negotiations and the payment of a ₦15 million ransom. Four were freed alive, while three were confirmed dead, which was two before their release and one after hospitalisation.

FactCheckHub analysed the images shared by the X user using Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool, and the results showed that they were unlikely to contain AI-generated or deepfake elements.

 

READ ALSO: No! Video does not show Dino Melaye fainted after Kogi governorship election

A Kogi – based platform, The Trumpet published the original photos and reported on the release of the 17 kidnapped victims, lending credibility to the images. AFRIKAEYES also reported the story with the exact images.

This shows that the images are not AI-generated. They are pictures of newly released victims from captivity.

VERDICT

The claim that the images of the kidnapped victims in the Ayetorokiri community are AI-generated is FALSE. They are authentic photographs of victims released after a kidnapping incident in Ayetoro-Kiri, Kogi state.

Old protest photos falsely misrepresented as recent calls for Netanyahu’s resignation

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Old protest photos falsely misrepresented as recent calls for Netanyahu’s resignation

SOME pictures circulating on social media claim to show Israelis protesting for the resignation of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The pictures show a large number of protesters hoisting Israeli flags, photographs of hostages and banners on the street.

A verified X user @kamaalrkhan posted the pictures on January 11, 2026, with the caption:

“Today, Israeli people are on roads against @netanyahu! They want him to resign.”

As of January 14, 2026, the post had generated over 587,000 views, 3,000 reposts and more than 14,000 likes.

Media aide to the late former president Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, also posted the same pictures on the same day with the caption:

“Israelis take to the streets demanding Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation. They want him out.”

READ: Iranian PressTV publishes misleading claim on numbers of Israeli soldiers with disability from Gaza war

As of January 14, 2026, the post had generated over 408,000 views, 3,165 reposts and more than 11,000 likes.

 

CLAIM

Pictures show Israelis currently protesting for the resignation of Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

Image 1

The FactCheckHub subjected the image to a reverse image search, and the result led us to an article published by the BBC. The image is from major protests in Israel triggered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul plans.

The unrest intensified after Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for publicly opposing the reforms, which brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets on Saturday, March 12, 2023, in cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Protesters blocked highways, held large demonstrations, and expressed deep concern over the direction of the country’s political system and threats to democratic norms.

Image 2

The FactCheckHub subjected the image to reverse image search, and the result traced back to NBC News reports. The image shows a protest regarding the Israel–Hamas war, which happened on Sunday, September 1, 2024.  The protest focuses on hostage negotiations and ceasefire efforts.

A screenshot of the image  on NBC news showing protesters gather to demand a hostage deal Sunday in Tel Aviv. Amir Levy / Getty Images

According to NBC news, the protesters who are demonstrating in Tel Aviv blame Netanyahu for prioritising his own political survival over a cease-fire deal that would safely bring the hostages home.

Image 3

According to Al Jazeera, the image shows huge crowds rallying in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities on 15 July 2023, with organisers pledging further ‘days of disruption’ against Prime Minister Netanyahu’s legislative push to overhaul the country’s judicial system.

A screenshot of photo of  on Reuters showing the Israeli protesters take part in a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government’s judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 15, 2023 [Oren Alon/ Reuters]
Protesters specifically reacted to a bill aimed at stripping the Supreme Court of its “reasonableness” oversight.

Image 4

The FactCheckHub subjected the image to reverse image search, and the result showed that the image captured by Associated Press depicts a protest aimed at demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and against the firing of the government’s top gatekeepers, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 22, 2025.

 

A screenshot of the image showing the protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and against the firing of the government’s top gatekeepers, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 22, 2025. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)

READ ALSO: Israel Gaza war: Claim that Nigeria is supporting Iran, Palestine is misleading!

VERDICT

The claim that the pictures show Israelis recently protesting against the administration of Benjamin Netanyahu is MISLEADING. The pictures were taken during the previous protests demanding the immediate release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

IFCN condemns US visa bans on fact-checkers, others

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
IFCN condemns US visa bans on fact-checkers, others

THE International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute has condemned the United States government’s recent decision to deny visas to individuals, including Fact-checkers, European public officials and civil society leaders, describing the move as a threat to free expression and democratic values.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the IFCN stated that the visa denials, reportedly including the blacklisting of individuals involved in information integrity and digital governance, amount to censorship and political retaliation.

The five Europeans named according to National Public Radio are: Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate; Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid, a German organisation; Clare Melford, who runs the Global Disinformation Index; and former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who was responsible for digital affairs.

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, described the individuals as “radical” activists and “weaponised” nongovernmental organisations, which fell afoul of a new visa policy announced in May to restrict the entry of foreigners deemed responsible for censoring protected speech in the United States.

However, IFCN said those affected were being targeted for their professional roles in combating misinformation and upholding public access to credible information.

According to the IFCN, the individuals sanctioned include fact-checkers, researchers, and trust and safety professionals whose work aligns with laws enacted by democratic governments, including the European Union’s Digital Services Act.

The group stressed that their activities, ranging from exposing coordinated disinformation to defending the public’s right to reliable information, should not be construed as censorship or national security threats.

“The pursuit of accuracy is not a hostile act; it is a vital service to the public record,” the IFCN said, warning that portraying fact-checkers and researchers as security risks mirrors tactics commonly used by authoritarian regimes to suppress independent media.

The organisation said it is conducting a formal assessment of how the visa restrictions affect the ability of fact-checking journalists and researchers to work without fear of political retaliation.

It also announced plans to expand legal and safety support for fact-checkers facing harassment or unwarranted scrutiny as a result of their work.

Calling for an immediate reversal of the policy, the IFCN urged the U.S. government to uphold free expression by protecting those committed to facts, transparency, and the rule of law, noting that democratic societies depend on the ability of independent professionals to operate without intimidation.

World Economic Forum names misinformation, disinformation among top global risk

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
World Economic Forum names misinformation, disinformation among top global risk

THE World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 (WEF) has confirmed that misinformation and disinformation continue to rank among the world’s most severe global risks.

In the report published by WEF on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, misinformation and disinformation were ranked second among the most severe global risks among short-term risks, surpassed only by Geoeconomic confrontation.

This places false and misleading information ahead of numerous economic, environmental, and security-related threats in the short term.

The report reflects responses from over 1,300 global leaders and experts across academia, business, government, international organizations and civil society, surveyed under the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS). The survey was released ahead of the annual gathering of CEO and world leaders in Davos, Switzerland.

The report situated misinformation and disinformation within a broader category of largely unchecked technological risks. Advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms have expanded access to powerful tools capable of producing and amplifying false information at scale.

Misinformation and disinformation were a growing concern in the digital space, as the integrity of online news and information came under increasing strain.

Advancement in technology made it more difficult to distinguish between authentic content and synthetic material, including manipulated videos, audio recordings and written texts.

At the same time, the widespread use of social media continued to reshape how people access and interpret information, gradually reducing reliance on traditional sources such as government institutions, academia and the mainstream media.

The WEF’s Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said the report “offers an early warning system as the age of competition compounds global risks, from geoeconomic confrontation to unchecked technology to rising debt, and changes our collective capacity to address them. But none of these risks are a foregone conclusion.”

Zahidi’s words gave hope despite the negative outlook, noting:

“It is also clear that new forms of global cooperation are already unfolding even amid competition, and the global economy is demonstrating resilience in the face of uncertainty.”

Amidst the uncertainty, the annual meeting is set to address the global issues, priorities and cooperation.

The report assessed global risks across three timeframes: the immediate term (2026), the short-to-medium term (to 2028), and the long term (to 2036).

Global risks ranked by severity.
Global risks ranked by severity.

The top risks were generally categorised by time horizon as their urgency and severity shift over time. In the long term, defined as a 10-year outlook, environmental risks remain at the top of the ranking.

Extreme weather events are classified as the first, followed by biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical change to Earth systems and misinformation and disinformation, which ranked fourth.

Old video of Fubara saying Rivers assembly members do not exist resurfaces online 

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Old video of Fubara saying Rivers assembly members do not exist resurfaces online 

A video showing the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating that the members of the state assembly do not exist have resurfaced online, with a claim that it shows the governor’s comment amid a renewed political crisis in the state. 

An X user, @novieverest posted the video with a caption: 

“Sim Fubara is now talking like an APC Governor.

The ability to be demonic and Indaboski bahoose war mood. What cards does Wike have left? Lessons.” 

READ : Did Tinubu order reinstatement of Fubara?

The post has generated over 200 reposts and more than 800 likes as of January 13, 2026. 

Another X user, Lere Olayinka posted the video with a caption : 

“Fubara to Rivers assembly members: I determine your existence, I can de-recognise you.

Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record. I accepted that Peace Accord to give them a floating. That is the truth. 

These are people that were eating in my house, these are people I have helped paid their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the thing there? Their existence is me allowing them to exist. If I de-recognise them, they are nowhere.” 

The post has generated over 300 reposts and more than 1,000 likes as of January 13, 2026. 

CLAIM 

Video shows recent Fubara’s comment on the River’s political crisis.

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING. 

Rivers State has been enmeshed in a prolonged political crisis stemming from a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

The conflict, which became public shortly after Fubara assumed office in May 2023, reflects deep fractures within the state’s political elite and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At the heart of the crisis is a contest over political control, loyalty, and influence within the state government and the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Tensions escalated in October 2023 when lawmakers perceived to be loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, accusing him of gross misconduct. The move triggered widespread unrest, including the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex under unclear circumstances. 

The governor responded by suspending several officials and restructuring parts of the state government, while a faction of the Assembly declared seats vacant and aligned itself with opposing political interests. The crisis soon drew national attention, prompting President Bola Tinubu to intervene and broker a fragile peace agreement in December 2023, which included reinstating lawmakers and restoring political calm.

READ ALSO : No! Photo does not show Rivers’ INEC Commissioner wearing Tinubu’s cap

Despite the presidential intervention, the truce proved short-lived. Political hostilities have resurfaced this year with parallel legislative sittings, court battles, and continued accusations from both camps. 

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the video circulating does not accurately reflect Fubara’s recent comment. The video has been online since May 2024. An earlier version was posted by BBC pidgin on May 7, 2024.

In the video, Fubara told a visiting delegation from Bayelsa State led by former Governor Seriake Dickson that there is no House of Assembly in the state, a statement that suggests the collapse of the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu.

The delegation, which included political and traditional rulers from Bayelsa State, paid Governor Fubara a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.

“Let me say it here, those group of men who claim that they are assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record,”Fubara said. 

Fubara declared that the state has no house of assembly that he accepted the peace deal to give the lawmakers a “floating”.

“I accepted that peace accord to give them a floating. That’s the truth. There is nothing in that peace accord that is a constitutional issue. It is a political solution to a problem. I accepted it because these are people that were visiting me and we were together in my house.

“These are people that I have helped… in many ways when I wasn’t even a governor. Yes, we might have our disagreements, but I believe that one day, we could also come together. That was the reason I did it.

“But I think it has gotten to a time when I need to make a statement on this thing, so that they understand that they are not existing. Their existence and whatever they have been doing is because I allowed them to do so. If I don’t recognise them, they are nowhere, that is the truth,” Governor Fubara said.

The video was before the renewed crisis in the state. 

VERDICT 

The claim that the video shows Fubara recently saying that the state assembly does not exist in the state is MISLEADING. The video has been online since 2024. 

Video does NOT show Kwankwaso “begging” Obi for VP ticket ahead of 2027 election

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Video does NOT show Kwankwaso “begging” Obi for VP ticket ahead of 2027 election

A video circulating on social media claims to show the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, begging the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to grant him the Vice Presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.

The 3:29-seconds clip shows Kwankwaso speaking at a caucus meeting with NNPP members and supporters.

An X user @AdcNews_ posted the video with the caption:

READ: Kwankwaso did NOT delete X post reacting to Trump’s comment

“I will accept VP ticket to Obi. PhD Kwankwaso begs.”

As of January 12, 2026, the video had garnered over 314,000 views, 1,254 reposts and more than 5,372 likes.

CLAIM

Video shows Kwankwaso begging Peter Obi for the Vice-presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

THE FINDINGS

A review of the video by The FactCheckHub researcher found no instance where Rabiu Kwankwaso begged to become Obi’s vice-presidential running mate.

Further, a keyword search conducted by The FactCheckHub led to news reports by Punch and PM News, which provided context to Kwankwaso’s remarks in the video.

Kwankwaso, who was speaking to members and supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) during a Kwankwasiyya gathering at his residence on Miller Road, Kano, dismissed claims of any conspiracy and outlined conditions under which he would consider political alliances.

He explained that previous political decisions were shaped by circumstances at the time but said the current state of the nation requires unity and collective action to tackle its challenges.

READ ALSO:Photo showing Kwankwaso wearing Tinubu’s trademark cap is photoshopped

“But now we are talking about the issue of our dear country. So we have to unite so we can become successful,” Kwankwaso said.

“We are hoping to form a coalition with another party, be it NNPP or any other party. But what we want is a party that will agree that I, Kwankwaso, will be either the number one (President) or the number two (Vice President).”

Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. At the time, speculation emerged that Kwankwaso might serve as his running mate. Kwankwaso, however, publicly rejected the claim, citing his political seniority and academic credentials.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Kwankwaso begging Peter Obi is false and MISLEADING.

Old video falsely presented as Osimhen’s apology after recent altercation with Lookman

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Old video falsely presented as Osimhen’s apology after recent altercation with Lookman

A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show Victor Osimhen apologising to Nigerians and his teammates following the recent on field alteration with Lookman.

The short clip shows Osimhen speaking during an interview with Sulaiman Adebayo also known as Pooja, where he apologised to Nigerians, acknowledged the high expectations from fans worldwide, and stressed that there was no pressure within the team because they trusted their quality and see AFCON as an opportunity to right past wrongs.

A verified X user @Gen_Buhar posted the video with the caption:

“Victor Osimhen apologise to team mates and Nigerians, let’s move on. He is just a winning player with too much expectations from his team mates.”

As of January 9, 2026, the video had garnered over 7,000 likes, 900 reposts and more than 420,000 views.

CLAIM

Video shows Osimhen apologising after the clash with Lookman on the pitch.

Screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The video is circulating following an on-field altercation between 2023 African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and his successor, Ademola Lookman, during Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique on Monday.

The ICIR reported that Nigeria annihilated the history-chasing Mambas at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen scoring twice and Lookman and Akor Adams adding one goal each.

However, the emphatic victory was overshadowed by a confrontation between the two former African Players of the Year shortly after the hour mark, which later saw Osimhen request to be substituted.

In a viral video that emerged after the match, Osimhen appeared to confront Lookman over what was believed to be the latter’s failure to pass the ball in a clear scoring position.

The Galatasaray of Turkey striker’s action surprised even the Mozambican players, who tried to restrain him from continuing his outbursts against Lookman. Osimhen subsequently called for a substitution and left the dressing room.

However, the video in circulation did not show Osimhen apologising to Nigerians and the fans at large over the altercation. A reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub revealed that the video was posted online days before the incident. It was originally shared by POOJAMEDIA on December 21, 2025.

The video captures Osimhen apologising to Nigerians and fans worldwide after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the interview, he emphasised the team’s belief in their quality and described the upcoming AFCON as an opportunity to make amends.

“We have to use this opportunity to say we’re sorry for not getting the World Cup ticket.”

“We know the disappointment on the faces of many Nigerian fans. Life has happened, so we have to keep it moving. This AFCON is an opportunity for us to do well and try to make sure that we win the tournament.”

The video has no connection with the recent altercation between Osimhen and his fellow teammate.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Victor Osimhen apologising to Nigerians after an altercation with Ademola Lookman is MISLEADING. The video predates the incident and was recorded after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Old video falsely presented as Tinubu’s 2026 new year address

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Old video falsely presented as Tinubu’s 2026 new year address

A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show President Bola Tinubu delivering a bleak message to Nigerians during his 2026 New Year’s address.

The short clip features Tinubu telling Nigerians that there was nothing else he could do to ease the economic hardship facing the country.

An X user, Obiasogu David, posted the video with the caption:

“Listen to Tinubu, the ‘President’ of Nigeria, delivering a ‘New Year’ speech that was supposed to give his people motivation and hope.”

READ : Grok Watermark triggered doubts over Tinubu–Kagame photo

As of January 7, 2026, the post had attracted over 2,000 reposts and more than 5,000 reposts, and thousands of comments, many of which suggested viewers believed the clip was recent.

CLAIM

Video shows President Bola Tinubu speaking during his 2026 New Year’s address, admitting to a bleak economic outlook.

screenshot of viral post misleadingly used to represent Tinubu 2026 new year message

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The claim emerged amid heightened political tension, with Nigeria approaching another general election cycle and ongoing public debates over economic reforms, inflation, fuel pricing, and insecurity. These conditions have fuelled scepticism toward the current administration and increased the virality of politically charged content online.

A keyword search of Tinubu’s statements in the video shows that the clip dates back to July 2023, when the president addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast following the removal of fuel subsidy. The earlier and longer version was posted by Channels TV on 31 July 2023.

During that address, Tinubu explained that the decision was unavoidable, stating that if there were alternative ways to fix the economy without removing the subsidy, he would have taken them.

READ ALSO :  Video does not show Tinubu’s response to Trump’s military action threat

His full statement reads:

“I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy.  Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance.

“Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it, I know. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses are struggling. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love so dearly. What I can offer and immediate is to reduce the burden of the current economic situation, which has imposed on all of us.”

The removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 led to a sharp rise in petrol prices and living costs, sparking nationwide debate and criticism at the time. The viral clip is a segment from that 2023 broadcast and has no connection to events in 2026.

Further checks show that President Tinubu did not deliver a live broadcast for the 2026 New Year. Instead, his New Year message was released in text form, where he struck a notably different tone.

In the 2026 message, Tinubu expressed optimism, citing moderating inflation, improved foreign reserves, increased investment inflows, and signs of economic recovery following reforms implemented in 2025.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows President Bola Tinubu’s 2026 New Year’s address is MISLEADING. The clip is from a 2023 nationwide broadcast on fuel subsidy removal and has been wrongly presented as a recent New Year’s speech.

Video does not show Osimhen reconciling with teammates after confrontation with Lookman

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Video does not show Osimhen reconciling with teammates after confrontation with Lookman

A video showing Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen heading toward the tunnel before being hugged by his teammate, Alex Iwobi, has surfaced online with claims that the moment followed an on-pitch altercation between Osimhen and fellow teammate Ademola Lookman.

An X user, @Usmanashafe posted the video with a caption : 

“This is so beautiful.  Alex iwobi hugged Osimhen in the dressing room after his outburst with Ademola and he went so emotional. We are all humans after all.” 

READ : Did Kanu win CAF award the year Osimhen was born?

The video has generated over 2,000 reposts and more than 25,000 likes as of January 7, 2026. 

The video also surfaced here on X  and here on Facebook. 

CLAIM 

Video shows Osimhen after an altercation with Lookman on the pitch. 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING. 

The video is circulating following an on-field altercation between 2023 African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and his successor, Ademola Lookman, during Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique on Monday.

The ICIR reported that Nigeria annihilated the history-chasing Mambas at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen scoring twice and Lookman and Akor Adams adding one goal each.

However, the emphatic victory was overshadowed by a confrontation between the two former African Players of the Year shortly after the hour mark, which later saw Osimhen request to be substituted.

READ ALSO : How AI-generated videos could fuel sports misinformation

In a viral video that emerged after the match, Osimhen appeared to confront Lookman over what was believed to be the latter’s failure to pass the ball in a clear scoring position. 

The Galatasaray of Turkey striker’s action surprised even the Mozambican players, who tried to restrain him from continuing his outbursts against Lookman. Osimhen subsequently called for a substitution and left the dressing room.

However, the video in circulation did not show Osimhen reconciling with the team and being consoled by fellow teammates after the altercation.

The FactCheckHub subjected the video to reverse image search, and the result showed that the video had been online a year before the incident. It was posted by the Confederation of African Football on February 1, 2024.  

The video showed Osimhen heading to the dressing room ahead of the Angola Game in the quarter-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations. The video showed his teammate coming to hug him after the victory in the round of 16 against Cameroon. 

The video has no connection with the recent altercation between Osimhen and his fellow teammate.

VERDICT 

The claim that the video shows Osimhen and Iwobi hugging each other after the latter’s altercation with his fellow teammate, Ademola Lookman is MISLEADING. The video was taken at the 2023 African Cup of Nations. 

Video of youths rejoicing after winning competition falsely used to depict Sokoto residents’ excitement over US military strike

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Video of youths rejoicing after winning competition falsely used to depict Sokoto residents’ excitement over US military strike

A video showing a group of youths singing and celebrating on a dusty area has circulated online with claims that it depicts residents of Sokoto jubilating after a US military strike in the state.

An X user, @afrisagacity posted the video with a caption:

“A video of Sokoto indigenes celebrating the killing and displacement of the [sic] Lakuwara terrorists in the state by the U.S. Military.

See how overjoyed and frenzied they are. They had suffered in silence for so long that this feels like a historic liberation!”

READ : Old image falsely used to depict airstrike in Kwara

The post has generated over 300 reposts and more than 600 likes as of January 5, 2026.

Another X user, @Abdullayofel posted the video with a caption :

“VIDEO: Indigenous people of Sokoto rejoicing and celebrating after the terrorist group Lukarawa were defeated following the Nigeria/ US Army collaboration…. ISWAP Mop them all.”

CLAIM

Video shows Sokoto residents celebrating after a US airstrike.

screenshot of viral video showing youths rejoicing after winning competition

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The ICIR reported that the US announced it carried out “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) elements operating in North-Western Nigeria on Christmas Day, December 25.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attacks targeted terrorist elements through collaboration with the US as part of “structured security cooperation with international partners to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.”

READ ALSO : Old footage from Côte d’Ivoire used to depict US Christmas military strike in Sokoto

Similarly, the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, a major general, said the operation demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve, in collaboration with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from gaining a foothold in Nigeria.

The FactCheckHub subjected the video in circulation to Google reverse image search, and the result showed that the video was originally posted by a TikTok user, MR_B_A_B_YARON_SOKOTO, on Thursday, January 1, without any caption.

After the video went viral, the user released another video clarifying that the footage was taken after they won a competition. The video, he explained, captured their joy after their efforts since last year, before later emerging victorious.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Sokoto residents rejoicing over a US military strike in the state is MISLEADING. The video shows youths celebrating after winning a competition.

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