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How AI made deepfakes harder to detect in 2025

Fatimah Quadri
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How AI made deepfakes harder to detect in 2025

As of 2023, most deepfake videos had red flags like blurred ears, odd lip-syncing, and glitchy shadows that made them detectable.

By 2025, these flaws had all but disappeared. Advancements in AI image generation and real-time face-swapping tools have made manipulated videos almost indistinguishable from real footage, turning simple smartphone clips into powerful misinformation weapons.

This year, AI-created images and deepfake videos blended so seamlessly into political debates, celebrity scandals, and even breaking news events that spotting what was fake often required forensic analysis, not intuition.

What used to be the domain of specialised creators suddenly became mainstream. Political actors, scammers, and propagandists quickly took advantage.

READ ALSO:Can AI save truth? exploring ethical pathways for fact-checking in the age of deepfakes 

Here are some of the major deepfake videos and AI-generated videos that we fact-checked in 2025

AI-generated R. Kelly song

In January, a viral video claimed that jailed singer R. Kelly had released a new song titled My Soul Cries Out. The clip showed a man resembling R. Kelly performing in a prison jumpsuit and quickly spread on social media.

Upon fact-checking, we found the claim to be false. The video showed signs of AI generation, including unnatural movements, inconsistent facial features, poor lip and hand synchronisation, and even spelling changes on the prison uniform. Audio checks also failed to link the song to any official release.

The original video was traced to a YouTube user who disclosed that both the song and visuals were created using AI tools. The creator had a history of producing AI-generated music attributed to R. Kelly.

Image depicting Wole Soyinka as a hunter

In February, a viral image shared on X claimed to show a Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka dressed as a local hunter in Ogun State. The image resurfaced amid growing concerns about digitally altered visuals online.

Findings by The FactCheckHub showed the claim was misleading. Reverse image searches traced the photo back to 2014, when it first appeared on internet forums as a “funny” image. Visual analysis revealed blurring around the neck area, indicating digital manipulation. Further checks using TinEye confirmed that the original image does not depict Soyinka.

Video showing Kwankwaso and Ganduje in a fight

A viral Facebook video claimed to show former Kano State governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje exchanging punches after a photoshoot. The clip, widely shared in early 2025, appeared dramatic and resembled a Kung Fu-style fight, further fuelling existing political tensions between supporters of both men.

When we analysed the video, it was evident that it was AI-generated. A reverse image search traced the original image used to create the clip to a 2012 photo of Ganduje presenting an award plaque to Kwankwaso in Abuja. Further analysis revealed watermarks linked to an AI tool commonly used to animate still images into fake fight scenes. The claim was therefore misleading, with the viral video identified as a deepfake created from an old photograph.

Salah quitting Liverpool

A viral TikTok video posted in March claimed that Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah announced he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, blaming teammates Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota. The clip, shared in March 2025, quickly gained traction with hundreds of thousands of engagements and was framed as a post-match reaction after Liverpool’s Champions League exit.

Checks showed the claim was false. The video’s visuals were traced to a genuine January 2025 post-match interview with Salah after Liverpool’s win over Lille, where he spoke only about his goal record and the team’s performance. The TikTok version was digitally altered: it was mirrored, had manipulated audio, and carried a disclaimer admitting it was edited using an AI tool. The misleading clip highlighted how AI-generated and doctored videos increasingly fuel sports misinformation in 2025.

Wizkid’s ‘free school’

A Facebook post that circulated in early 2025 claimed that Afrobeats star Wizkid built and owns a “Wizkid FC School” offering free education as part of a philanthropic initiative. The image of the building, widely shared across Facebook pages and blogs, was presented as evidence of the project.

The FactCheckHub found the claim to be false. The image was AI-generated, bearing a Meta AI watermark and scoring 98 per cent AI-generated on detection tools. Visual errors, including misspellings on the building signage, further raised red flags. Searches across news reports, public records, and Wizkid’s official channels found no evidence that the singer owns or operates any school.

Burkina Faso tax-free under Traoré

In April, a video circulating on TikTok claimed that Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, had declared the country tax-free, lifting all taxes on salaries, businesses, and foreign investments. The video featured a scripted newscast-style voiceover over unrelated footage, and gained over 150,000 likes and 14,000 shares.

Fact-check by The FactCheckHub found the claim to be false. The video was partially AI-generated, with visual and audio inconsistencies such as staccato movements and out-of-sync speech. A key clip of Traoré was traced to his speech at the 2024 Academic Excellence Day, not an announcement of a tax-free policy.

Official records and credible media sources show no such tax-free regime exists. In fact, Burkina Faso’s 2025 Finance Act, passed in December 2024, expanded the country’s tax base, including e-commerce taxation.

Rihanna’s tribute to Diogo Jota

In July, A viral video claimed that Barbadian singer Rihanna released a tribute song for the late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota. The 3-minute, 48-second clip showed a woman purported to be Rihanna in gardens, fields, and churches, with fast, staccato movements and inconsistent hand gestures.

The FactCheckHub confirmed the claim is false. The video and audio were digitally manipulated and AI-generated. Rihanna’s last solo release was Lift Me Up in October 2022, and the viral video does not appear on her verified channels. A nearly identical version on YouTube included a disclaimer noting it was created with synthetic media.

READ ALSO: Meta’s moderation gap: how AI misinformation from Africa goes unchecked

Nasarawa flyover collapse

A viral collage claimed that a newly constructed N10 billion flyover in Lafia, Nasarawa State, collapsed barely three weeks after commissioning. Checks by The FactCheckHub show the claim is misleading. The images were traced to an AI-generated video posted by a Facebook page known for its synthetic content, featuring clear visual distortions typical of generative AI.

The false claim gained traction following a real but separate incident in Keffi, Nasarawa State, where part of a flyover was damaged on July 18, 2025, after an overloaded truck struck a beam. No credible media report or official statement confirms a flyover collapse in Lafia.

Lekki flooding and Herbert Wigwe ‘s home

In August, a hyper-realistic AI-generated video shared by X user @classy_jesters sparked wide attention after appearing to show luxury cars being ferried through floodwaters in Lekki, Lagos. The 19-second clip was labelled as AI-generated satire but still amassed nearly one million views within days.

Despite the disclosure, the video’s realism led some viewers to believe it showed a real flooding incident—an assumption made more plausible by Lekki’s history of severe flooding. Comments revealed a split audience: while many recognised the satire, others took it at face value, raising concerns about how easily AI visuals can mislead.

The episode highlights a broader issue: older and less digitally literate audiences often struggle to interpret AI labels or may not understand what “AI-generated” means.

Later the same month, A viral video showing an abandoned house was claimed to depict the late Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe’s home. Findings by The FactCheckHub show the claim is misleading. Reverse image searches traced the video to a Facebook post by a comedian, Classy Jesters, who shared it as a generic, philosophical skit with no reference to Wigwe.

The video also carries a “Jester AI” watermark, confirming it was generated using an AI tool commonly used for hyper-realistic content. Archived footage of Wigwe’s actual residence, published after he died in 2024, shows a completely different property, confirming the viral video does not represent his house or assets.

What were some of the AI-generated, and deep fake videos you encountered in 2025?, let us know in the comment section.

Video showing U.S military announcing takeover of Nigerian army is AI-generated

Fatimah Quadri
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Video showing U.S military announcing takeover of Nigerian army is AI-generated

A video purportedly showing a United States military officer announcing that the U.S. military would “take over” the Nigerian Army to help end terrorism in the country has surfaced online.

The video, posted by singer and activist, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, shows a man dressed in a U.S. military uniform who appears to be giving an interview. In the clip, the individual is heard saying:

“The U.S. military will take it from the Nigerian Army, and they will do their best to end Boko Haram terror.”

ALSO READ: Charly boy’s 2024 comment falsely attributed to Emir Sanusi

The speaker also encouraged viewers to like and follow the page to “support” the alleged mission.

The accompanying caption read:

Humm, dem done land? Na only terrorist una come kill, or na something else una want? My people waiting una think?

Translated, this suggests that foreign troops may have arrived and questions whether their mission is limited to fighting terrorists or driven by other motives.

As of Thursday, December 18, 2025, the video had garnered over 300,000 views, 1,500 likes, 768 comments, and 675 reposts.

The post triggered concern among users, with many questioning the motive behind the purported U.S. intervention. Some interpreted the video as evidence of possible foreign interference in Nigeria’s security affairs.

One user, @pardox121, commented, “America is literally funding those terror groups. They are not doing that for free; they are definitely going to demand something from Nigeria later. Nothing is ever free.”

However, other users dismissed the claim, describing the video as fabricated.

Given the sensitive nature of the claim and its potential to mislead the public, The FactCheckHub subjected the video to verification.

CLAIM

Video shows U.S. military officer announcing takeover of Nigerian army

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim; Insert false verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Insert false verdict

A keyword search was conducted to identify any official announcement or verified report indicating the presence of U.S. soldiers in Nigeria. No credible news organisation or official source has published such information.

Further examination of the video revealed inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated content. One of the microphones visible in the clip bore the name “Arise Mevon,” alongside a logo resembling that of Nigeria’s Arise News. However, the text appeared distorted, a known characteristic of AI-generated visuals—and no legitimate media organisation operates under the name “Arise Mevon.”

Additionally, the movement of the microphones during the interview appeared unnaturally swift and fluid, another indicator consistent with artificial intelligence–generated footage.

Closer inspection showed that the video was originally posted on TikTok, as indicated by the visible watermark and username. A review of the TikTok account, @ai_muna, revealed a clear disclaimer in the profile bio stating that the videos are “powered by AI.” The account predominantly features AI-generated content, including the video in question.

To further verify the findings, the clip was analysed using the AI-detection tool Hive Moderation. The results indicated a high level of manipulation, flagging the content as 99.9 per cent AI-generated overall, with 70 per cent AI-generated visuals, confirming that both the imagery and audio were largely produced using artificial intelligence.

Screenshot showing results from Hive Moderation
Screenshot showing results from Hive Moderation

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows a U.S. military officer announcing the takeover of the Nigerian army is false; it is an AI-generated video.

Video claiming Dubai launched AI salon is AI generated

Fatimah Quadri
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Video claiming Dubai launched AI salon is AI generated

A claim that Dubai has unveiled an AI robot salon that curls hair instantly has surfaced the internet.

The claim posted on X by a user @Livingtricks_ had a 10 seconds video attached to it.

In the video, a dark-skinned woman with kinky hair, described as frizzled and rough, sat as a machine resembling a steamer or stand hair dryer was automatically placed over her head, straightening her hair almost instantly, while white onlookers watched in the background.

READ ALSO : AI-generated images of Alia’s statues circulate online

The post also had the caption :

Dubai just unveiled a mind-blowing AI Salon Robot that curls hair instantly — no heat damage, no touch, just pure futuristic tech
Since the video was posted on Saturday December 13, it has garnered two million views, 3,300 likes and 444 reposts.
CLAIM

Dubai launches AI-powered salon.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim; Dubai launches AI powered salon; Insert: False verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Dubai launches AI powered salon; Insert: False verdict

A closer examination of the video, including the text on the backdrop, the appearance of the people and hands, facial expressions, and hair movement, revealed several unnatural features, strongly suggesting that the content was created using synthetic media.

Additionally, the machine shown in the video straightened the woman’s hair rather than curling it, as claimed.

When we ran the video through Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool, it showed 99.4% probability that the content was AI-generated.

Screenshot of the results from Hive Moderation
Screenshot of the results from Hive Moderation

Further checks to verify whether Dubai had launched an AI-powered salon found that similar claims were circulating across multiple social media platforms, each accompanied by different deepfake videos.

READ: AI-generated video of man constructing wooden aircraft circulates online

THE VERDICT

The claim that Dubai has launched an AI- powered salon is false; the video used to push the narrative is AI-generated.

 

Old image of armed suspect falsely shared as recent RRS arrest in Lagos

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Old image of armed suspect falsely shared as recent RRS arrest in Lagos

AN image showing a suspect with three locally made pistols has resurfaced online with a claim that it shows an Igbo man recently arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos State.

The image was posted on X by a user, @Onsogbu, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, with the caption:

“BREAKING News!!! Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested the most wanted criminal and gang leader, Emeka Igwe (aka odogwu) at Toyota bus-stop near Oshodi, Lagos. Three locally-made pistols were recovered from him.”

As of December 12, 2025, the post had generated over 194,000 views, 629 reposts, 175 likes, 118 bookmarks, and 48 quote posts.

Many reactions suggested the suspect was a criminal recently arrested amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, with some comments expressing ethnic sentiments.

CLAIM

Image shows an Igbo man recently arrested by RRS operatives in Lagos with three locally made pistols.

screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The claim is circulating amid a surge in killings, kidnappings, and other violent crimes across Nigeria, particularly in November 2025, when terrorists and unidentified gunmen carried out repeated attacks in different parts of the country.

In response, Nigerian security agencies intensified operations against bandit camps and criminal hideouts, leading to arrests and casualties among armed groups.

This heightened security situation has made the public more susceptible to viral claims involving arrests and the recovery of weapons.

A Google Reverse Image Search conducted by The FactCheckHub traced the image to April 2022. The image was published by The Nation and Eagle Online on April 30, 2022, in a report about the arrest of a 28-year-old suspect named Emeka Igwe in Lagos State.

According to the report, Emeka Igwe was arrested for theft during traffic gridlocks in Lagos. He was identified as the leader of a cult group known as “Aro-Baga,” which reportedly carried out robbery attacks on motorists and pedestrians stuck in traffic.

VERDICT

The claim is MISLEADING. The image does not show a recent arrest linked to Nigeria’s current security operations. It dates back to April 2022 and is being reshared out of context.

Roundcheck’s festival showcases poetry as tool for media Literacy

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Roundcheck’s festival showcases poetry as tool for media Literacy
Roundcheck, a youth-led fact-checking organisation hosted the maiden edition of Truth in Verse, a poetry festival designed to promote Media and Information Literacy (MIL) among young Nigerians.
Held at the University of Lagos on December 12, 2025, the festival brought together poets, journalists, fact-checkers, educators, and students to explore how spoken-word poetry and creative expression can be used to encourage critical thinking, responsible media engagement, and resistance to misinformation.
The event demonstrated how spoken-word poetry can convey messages across various themes, including governance and elections, artificial intelligence, human rights, gender, education, and youth participation in digital spaces, particularly among younger audiences who dominate online conversations.

READ : Media literacy: equipping Nigerian youths against misinformation

In his opening remarks, Roundcheck’s Executive Director, Caleb Ijioma, explained that Truth in Verse emerged from the intersection of his passion for spoken-word poetry and his professional work in fact-checking.
He noted that words have the power not only to express emotions but also to shape how people understand and interpret information.
Ijioma highlighted Nigeria’s large and youthful digital population, noting that while the country has over 122 million internet users, only a small percentage possess the skills required to critically question and evaluate online content.
He observed that this gap has contributed to the rapid spread of rumours and false narratives, particularly during sensitive periods such as elections.

“With 70 per cent of our population under 30, young people are at the centre of this challenge. They are the ones most exposed to false information, and at the same time, they are the ones with the strongest potential to change the story,” he said.

“One thing that has always stood out to me is how spoken word poetry speaks to young people. It carries messages in a way that is easy to feel, easy to remember, and easy to share. This is why we believe poetry can help promote media and information literacy in a way that is fresh, creative, and relatable.”

According to him, Truth in Verse was conceived as a space where poetry, storytelling, workshops, and fact-checking intersect to help young people think more critically, engage more responsibly with the media, and use their voices to stand for truth.

He added that by blending art with awareness, the festival offers more than conventional learning, aiming to build lasting collaboration between poets, journalists, educators, and fact-checkers while producing resources that extend beyond the event, including an anthology and educational materials.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Editor at Africa Check, Motunrayo Joel, stressed the importance of cultivating a habit of verification among young people.
She urged audiences to question information before sharing it and to look beyond personal biases when consuming media content.
Several panel sessions featured experts discussing strategies for strengthening MIL in newsrooms and expanding its reach across Africa.
Senior Reporter at The Nation newspaper, Alao Abiodun, emphasised that fact-checking should begin at the reporting stage, describing journalists as the first line of defence against misinformation and underscoring the need for accuracy before stories reach editors.
UNESCO MIL expert, Olunifesi Suraj, focused on the role of education, arguing that media and information literacy must start in the classroom. He described the gap between academic training and newsroom practice as a major setback to effective verification and called for stronger collaboration between educators, practitioners, and fact-checking organisations.
Community Manager at Africa Check, Allwell Okpi, spoke on newsroom collaboration, noting that while partnerships between media organisations and fact-checkers exist, many lack structure and sustainability.
He called for more intentional collaborations that embed fact-checking expertise directly into newsroom operations.
The Head of Insights at SBM Intelligence, Victor Ejechi, highlighted the role of data and analytics in identifying misinformation trends, encouraging journalists to become more comfortable working with numbers, especially when reporting on government statistics, budgets, and socio-economic indicators.
Founder of Naija Poetry Fest, Godson Osarenren, noted that creative platforms play a crucial role in amplifying advocacy and inspiring social change, adding that consistent creative expression can empower young people to stand for truth and become agents of change.
Key recommendations from the festival included integrating fact-checking and MIL into journalism education, continuous newsroom training on data literacy, and leveraging creative expressions such as poetry and art to improve media literacy.
The event also featured the introduction of Roundcheck’s new product, Civic Play, a web-based game designed to promote civic awareness and participation.
Project Manager Ilerioluwa Philips explained that the game was developed with young Nigerians in mind, allowing them to learn civic values while having fun.
The festival concluded with the launch of the Truth in Verse Anthology, a collection of poems written by festival participants.
Roundcheck is an independent fact-checking organisation focused on combating misinformation through youth engagement, digital literacy, and media and information literacy, with particular attention to education, governance, health, elections, and marginalised communities.

Viral video of wedding shooting in Chad falsely linked to Nigerian bandits

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Viral video of wedding shooting in Chad falsely linked to Nigerian bandits

A video circulating on social media claims to show a bandit leader in Nigeria being accidentally shot by his colleague during his wedding celebration.

The 53-second clip shows a group of men gathered in a circle, wearing different outfits and turbans covering most of their faces. One man holding a gun walks toward another and fires into the air. One of the bullets appears to hit a man identified by the Facebook user as the leader, after which the crowd rushes toward him as he appears to be bleeding.

An X account, @Naija Trend_1, posted the video with the caption:

“VIDEO: Watch the moment Armed bandit misfired his colleague during his wedding engagement.”

As of December 10, 2025, the post had generated 800 reposts and over 2,000 likes with many suggesting they are terrorists in Nigeria.

A Facebook user, Abumeze Chukwumaeze Ibe, posted frames in the video with a caption:
“Bandits Leader Mistakenly Kills Another Leader During Celebration (Photos)
A viral video shows a group of bandits gathered for what appears to be a special occasion. One of the leaders arrived on a bike with some members, while another leader was already seated and surrounded by his men. The seated leader raised his hand in greeting as soon as he saw the other leader coming down from the bike.
However, the leader who arrived on the bike, along with two others, began shooting into the air like a gun salutation to the one seated. Somehow, he fired some bullets straight into the head of the one sitting down, and immediately others realised what had happened, they gathered around him…..”

CLAIM

Video shows a bandits leader in Nigeria accidentally shot during a gathering.

screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The claim is circulating amid a rise in terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and violent incidents across Nigeria, which has heightened public sensitivity to videos showing shootings or injuries. For instance, in November 2025, over 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent times. 

Around the same period, gunmen stormed a girls’ boarding school in Kebbi State, abducting 25 students. Such attacks, along with repeated raids on communities and clashes between armed groups, have prompted widespread outrage, fear, and rapid sharing of related content on social media.

The FactCheckHub subjected the keyframes in the video to Google Reverse Image search, and it was traced back to November 28, 2025, in Amdirib, Batha Province, Chad. 

Reports by platforms like The Zambia Observer and Daily Star indicate the video shows a man who was accidentally shot on his wedding day after his brother fired celebratory gunshots into the air. The groom later died at the provincial hospital, and local authorities launched an investigation.

The shooting was part of a cultural practice in Chad, where communities, including the Hadjerai people, fire guns into the air during weddings and other celebrations to express joy. 

Analysis of the video indicates that the language spoken by the people is Hadjerai, largely spoken in the Batha province of Chad, further establishing that the incident occurred in Chad and not Nigeria.

Extensive searches using keywords from the social media post found no verifiable reports of a similar incident in Nigeria.

THE VERDICT 

The claim that the video shows a Fulani herdsmen leader being shot in Nigeria is FALSE. The incident actually took place in Chad during a wedding celebration, where ceremonial gunfire accidentally struck the groom.

Viral video of Nnamdi Kanu’s release is from 2017

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Viral video of Nnamdi Kanu’s release is from 2017

A claim that Nnamdi Kanu has been released has surfaced on the internet and has been circulating, particularly on TikTok

The claim was made by a user, Ugwaifechukwudavid1, who posted a one-minute plus video. The footage was a clip from a Channels Television news report, with a chyron that read: “Treasonable Felony – Nnamdi Kanu released after meeting bail conditions.”

The voice-over in the clip also repeated the headline and the news ticker, stating that Kanu had been released from Kuje Prison by Justice Binta Nyako after fulfilling his bail conditions.

READ: Video does not show #freeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja

The caption reads:

Lovers of good news come rejoice with me Great Mazi Kanu is released Thank you president Ahmed Tinubu for approving Mazi bail freennamdikanu

Since the post  was made on Thursday, December 11, 2025, it has garnered engagment of over 2,000 likes, 91 comments, and 178 bookmarks.

CLAIM

Nnamdi Kanu has been released from prison.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!

Screenshot of the claim; NNamdi Kanu released from prison; Insert; Misleading Verdict
Screenshot of the claim; NNamdi Kanu released from prison; Insert; Misleading Verdict

On November 20, 2025, the Federal High Court sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of terrorism charges preferred against him. Since then, he has been serving his sentence at a correctional facility in Sokoto.

However, the video circulating online does not reflect this recent development. Clues from the footage, including the judge mentioned, Justice Binta Nyako, and the reference to Kuje Prisons, clearly indicate that the clip is old.

A keyword search using phrases seen in the chyron, such as “Nnamdi Kanu meets bail conditions”, led to the original appearance of the video on YouTube, uploaded by Channels TV on April 28, 2017. The clip depicts Kanu’s release after meeting his bail conditions at the time.

ALSO READ: Biafra: How IPOB uses disinformation to push secession agenda

Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges including treasonable felony and incitement linked to his activities as IPOB leader, which seeks the secession of Nigeria’s South-East. Although he was granted bail in 2017, he fled the country shortly after his home in Abia State was raided by the military.

These details were also corroborated by multiple media reports published in 2017.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nnamdi Kanu has been released from prison is misleading; the video is from 2017, when he was initially granted bail before fleeing the country.

IFCN condemns U.S. visa crackdown targeting fact-checkers, others

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
IFCN condemns U.S. visa crackdown targeting fact-checkers, others

THE International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has condemned the United States recent move to tighten visa access for fact-checkers, content moderators and other professionals in the information integrity space.

The FactCheckHub had earlier reported that the U.S. government instructed its consular offices to apply stricter vetting procedures for H-1B visa applicants. The memo, issued on December 2, 2025, directed officers to deny applications from individuals deemed to have participated in what it described as “free speech censorship.” The policy targets highly skilled workers, including those in journalism, moderation and safety roles.

In a statement signed by its executive director, Angie Holan, on December 9, 2025, the IFCN criticised the decision and emphasised the essential public-interest role of fact-checking.

“Fact-checking is journalism. It is the straightforward work of comparing public claims against the best available evidence and publishing the results for all to see,” Holan said, stressing that the practice strengthens public debate rather than stifles it.

She added that the U.S., long regarded as a global defender of press freedom, risks undermining that reputation with policies that conflate fact-checking with censorship.

“This work strengthens public debate; it does not censor it. It is protected within the United States by the First Amendment, and the U.S. has long supported similar press freedoms internationally. To conflate this work with censorship is to misunderstand what fact-checkers do, or to deliberately misrepresent it,” she stated.

The IFCN also raised concerns that the announcement could endanger the safety and credibility of professionals who help safeguard the public from exploitation, fraud, scams and coordinated harassment. It stressed that both fact-checking and content moderation contribute to a healthier information environment and, ultimately, protect freedom of expression.

The IFCN, a global network of more than 170 nonpartisan organisations in over 80 countries, noted that its members do not remove content but instead “add information to the public record.”

It argued that an informed public and a free press are essential to democratic governance, warning that policies undermining truth-telling raise serious concerns for journalists worldwide.

Established in 2015 at the Poynter Institute, the IFCN was created to unite fact-checkers worldwide and advance the fight against misinformation through collaboration, capacity building, and advocacy. It continues to support high standards of transparency and accuracy among all signatories to its Code of Principles.

Viral images do not show recently kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Viral images do not show recently kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls

An X user @Ishaqsamaila5, posted two images showing school students in captivity with bandits claiming it showed students abducted in Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Kebbi State.

READ ALSO: No hidden airport for cocaine smuggling in Argungu, Kebbi State

The images were captioned:

“For the first time, a photo of the school students abducted by armed bandits in Kebbi State has appeared in the media.”

In the comment section, some users believed the post’s assertion, while others doubted its authenticity.

As of the time of filing this report, it has gained an impression of over 90,000 views, 695 likes, and 321 reposts.

On November 17, police confirmed that armed men attacked Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, Kebbi State, abducting 25 students and killing the school’s vice principal. They were eventually released a week later.

CLAIM

Images show the recently abducted Kebbi schoolgirls

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub indicate the claim is MISLEADING!

Screenshot of the claim; Insert; Misleading verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Insert; Misleading verdict

A Google reverse image search of the photo revealed similar images shared by EON intelligence and many accounts on Facebook in June 2021, as can be seen here, here, and here.

The posts claimed the images showed the abduction of students from Federal Government College, Birin Yauri, Kebbi State, in 2021.

A keyword search also led to a The Nation report from October 21, 2021, confirming the release of 28 abducted students and three teachers from the same school.

READ ALSO: How true is the claim that Rahama Saidu was expelled from Kebbi nursing school over her social media posts?

This was also reported by Channels Television, which added that security forces were working to secure the release of other students.

This was also reported by other media outlets, as seen here and here.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the image shows the recently abducted Kebbi girls is misleading; the image was from a different occurrence in 2021.

No, Image does NOT show Christians taking up arms after Kwara Church attack

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
No, Image does NOT show Christians taking up arms after Kwara Church attack

AN image showing a man holding an AK-47 rifle and a Bible beside a woman has surfaced online with a claim that Christians are now arming themselves for self-defence in Nigeria.

This follows the November 18 attack on worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) branch in the Eruku community, Kwara State.

The attack, captured during a church livestream and shared widely online, left three worshippers dead and 38 abducted. The incident fueled ongoing discussions about alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria and calls by some social media users for Christians to defend themselves by bearing arms.

READ : Foreign actors misuse picture of murdered muslim villagers to depict christian massacre in Nigeria

On December 1, the blog Oriental Times posted the image with the caption:

“Nigerian Pastor Seen Preaching With AK-47 In The Street.”

The post has attracted more than 27,000 likes, 1000 comments, and 2000 shares.

CLAIM

The image shows a Nigerian pastor preaching on the street with an AK-47 rifle following recent attacks on churches.

screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

A reverse image search conducted reveals that the viral picture is not from a real-life incident. Instead, it is a screenshot from a comedy skit created by a Nigerian content creator popularly known as Pastor Destiny.

The original video was posted on November 24, 2025, on his Facebook page, REAL DON DADDY.

The clip shows the creator and a woman preaching on the street while he dramatically holds a Bible and a replica AK-47 — a common theme in his humorous, gospel-themed content.

READ ALSO : Video does not show Islamists’ attack on Christian community on Eid day in Nigeria

Pastor Destiny is known for producing satirical and dramatised skits, often blending preaching with exaggerated props. There is no evidence that the individuals in the image were part of any armed Christian response to the Kwara church attack.

VERDICT

The claim that the image shows a real pastor preaching with an AK-47 after the Kwara church attack is MISLEADING. It is a scene from a skit created by Nigerian content creator Pastor Destiny, not evidence of Christians arming themselves.

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