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Viral video of Nnamdi Kanu’s release is from 2017

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Video does NOT show Islamic extremist removing Christmas banner

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A claim that a video shows Islamic extremists destroying a Merry Christmas banner in Kwara state is circulating on the internet.

The video which was posted on X by a user on the app @trigottista showed some individuals dismantling a Merry Christmas banner.

An observation of the banner showed that it was sponsored by the senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, as the banner bore his image and his name.

READ ALSO: Old photo of Igbo monarch arrested over kidnapping in Imo State resurfaces online

The video had a caption alongside that read:

Islamic extremists destroy a “Merry Christmas” banner in Kwara
As of Thursday, December 4, 2025, it has garnered an impression of over 700,000 views, 6,300 likes, and 3,400 reposts.
The post was also seen here, here, and here

CLAIM

Video shows Islamic extremists destroying a Merry Christmas Banner

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!
Screenshot of claim : Video shows Islamic Extremists removing Merry Christmas Banner. Insert; Misleading Verdict
Screenshot of claim: Video shows Islamic Extremists removing a Merry Christmas Banner. Insert: Misleading Verdict

A Google Lens search of screenshots from the video revealed that it had appeared elsewhere, including in a Facebook post by a user, Just Event Online, uploaded a year earlier. The post, captioned “Senator Saliu Mustapha’s Christmas billboards were mysteriously taken down across Ilorin,” attracted comments suggesting the action was politically motivated.

Further checks showed that the incident was also reported by the Vanguard newspaper.

Vanguard had reported that although the removal was initially linked to suspected hoodlums, the Kwara State government later confirmed taking down two of the billboards.

The General Manager of the Kwara State Signage and Advertising Agency (KWASAA), Ismail Asukuti, said the agency removed some of the structures due to ongoing construction in the area, while another was taken down over non-payment of the required advertisement fees.

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

He explained that the billboard at Police ‘A’ Division was removed on the directive of the company handling the overhead bridge project, which had marked it for removal. Asukuti added that the structure at Maraba was dismantled because the advertisement fee was not paid, a violation of the state’s outdoor advertising regulations.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Islamic extremists destroying a Merry Christmas banner is misleading; the Kwara State government confirmed it took down two billboards—one due to construction work and another over unpaid advertising fees.

US to deny visas to fact checkers and others over ‘censorship’

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THE United States government has introduced a new policy that will see H-1B visa applicants denied entry if they have worked in fact-checking, content moderation or online safety — fields considered crucial in combating misinformation.

Reuters reported on Thursday that an internal memo issued by the US State Department directed consular officers worldwide to scrutinise applicants’ past roles for any involvement in what Washington now describes as “censorship” of free speech in the US.

The directive, dated December 2, also instructs visa officers to review LinkedIn profiles and résumés of applicants and their accompanying family members to determine whether they have worked in fact-checking, compliance, moderation or misinformation-related roles.

“If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible,” the memo read, according to Reuters.

READ : Trump affirms plan to sue BBC for $1 Billion over edited speech

The H-1B visa allows US employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers, particularly in technology, engineering, healthcare and research. It is typically issued for three years and renewable for up to six.

The new policy comes amid the Trump administration’s tightening of US immigration rules since the President returned to office. Over the past year, the government has reinstated selective travel bans, raised visa fees, reduced access to interview waivers and expanded social-media screening for applicants.

Reuters reports that the stricter checks will apply to both first-time H-1B applicants and those seeking renewals.

“You must thoroughly explore their employment histories to ensure no participation in such activities,” the memo further said.

President Trump, who was frequently fact-checked during his previous term, has pushed social-media companies to roll back fact-checking and moderation features. Facebook, which previously partnered with fact-checkers to curb fake news, also halted such initiatives.

“In the past, the President himself was the victim of this kind of abuse when social media companies locked his accounts. He does not want other Americans to suffer this way. Allowing foreigners to lead this type of censorship would both insult and injure the American people,” an official told Reuters.

Manipulated video misrepresented as Sheikh Gumi asking government to include bandits in national budget

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A video showing controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, asking the government to include bandits in the national budget has surfaced online.

According to the video, Gumi purportedly said that attacking bandits is a mistake and urged the government to negotiate with them and include them in the national budget.

A popular news blog, Linda Ikeji Blog, posted the video with the caption:

“Attacking the bandits will be a mistake. Negotiate with them instead. Include them in the budget. Give the bandits whatever they want”
— Sheikh Gumi tells Nigerians.

The post has generated over 1,000 reposts and likes as of November 27, 2025.

Similarly, popular artist Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, posted the video with the caption:

“Sheikh Gumi
Come make I ask you something, you dey alright? Do you need medical attention?
You dey think before you talk?
You say attacking bandits will be a mistake?
Are you mad?
Are you normal?
Or na bandit spirit don colonize your sense?…….”

His post has also generated over 1,000 reposts and likes as of November 27, 2025.

CLAIM

Video shows Gumi asking the government to include bandits in the budget.

screenshot of the Gumi’s doctored video

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, a controversial Islamic scholar, has long drawn both support and criticism for his stance on banditry in Nigeria. He has met with armed bandits in the forests and often advocated for dialogue and amnesty rather than purely military action.

Gumi’s position is rooted in his belief that some Fulani herdsmen involved in banditry are victims of circumstance, pushed into criminality by socio-economic pressures rather than inherent criminal intent.

In past interviews, Gumi has always suggested dealing with bandits without using direct physical force or military action.

His comments have drawn strong public criticism, with many accusing him of sympathizing with criminals and undermining national security.

Even though Gumi advocates for dialogue, the viral video claiming he said bandits should be included in the national budget is not part of any verified interview. The circulated clip has been manipulated, with the voice sounding hollow and unusually heavy, exhibiting AI-like inflections inconsistent with his natural speech.

The FactCheckHub subjected the keyframes in the video to Google Reverse Image search and the result shows that the video has been manipulated. It was taken from the exclusive interview held by Channels with Gumi on February 22, 2021.

Analysis of the original interview shows that the statements attributed to him in the viral video were fabricated.

The cleric, in his actual interview, said that Fulani herdsmen involved in banditry are victims of circumstance:

“When I listened to them, I found out that it is a simple case of criminality which turned into banditry, which turned into ethnic war, and some genocide too behind the scene; people don’t know,” Gumi said.

“I think it is a population that is pushed by circumstances into criminality. And this is what we should look at—let’s remove the pressure, let’s remove the things that made them into criminals because we have lived thousands of years without any problems with the nomadic herdsmen. They are peaceful people. But something happened that led them to this.”

The FactCheckHub also extracted the texts from the video and subjected them to Google Search, which confirmed that Gumi did not make the statements circulating online.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Gumi asking the government to include bandits in the budget is MISLEADING. The video was doctored from his 2021 interview with Channels TV.

No, Christians do not constitute more than half of Nigeria’s population

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An X user, @VivianRora, has claimed that 57 per cent of Nigerians practice the Christian religion.

She wrote: “Muslim–Muslim ticket is partially Islamization. In a country that’s 57% Christian, two Muslims leading isn’t just politics; it’s Islamization. And as a Christian, I’m offended.”

The post has generated over 5000 likes and more than 2,000 reposts as of the time of this report.

CLAIM

Christians constitute more than half of Nigeria’s population.

screenshot of a post claiming Christians constitute 57% of the Nigeria population

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The claim went viral due to the recent allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria. Recall that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post later shared on the official White House X handle, announced that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing what he described as “an existential threat to Christianity.”

READ: Trump affirms plan to sue BBC for $1 Billion over edited speech

“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it,” Trump wrote.

Since the claim was made, there have been various claims on the proportion of the Christian and muslim population in Nigeria.

However, checks on authoritative demographic sources do not support the assertion that Christians make up 57 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

The Pew Research Centre, based in the United States, is one of the most widely referenced global authorities on religious demographics, including in Nigeria. Its population estimates are frequently cited by governments, researchers, international organisations, and media outlets because the centre uses large-scale surveys, global datasets, and long-term projections to study religious affiliation trends.

When discussing the proportion of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, Pew’s reports, such as its Religion and Public Life studies and global religious composition forecasts, are often treated as benchmark references due to their methodological rigour and international credibility. For instance, the U.S. Department of State’s 2022 International Religious Freedom Report cites its 2015 findings on the proportion of Christians and muslims in Nigeria.

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

According to the centre, Muslims made up a majority of Nigeria’s total population (56.1%), while Christians made up 43.4% as of 2020. While all other groups made up 0.6% of the national population.

The Centre noted that Nigeria has the world’s fifth-largest Muslim population and its sixth-largest Christian population. It is also the only country that ranks among both the 10 largest Muslim populations and the 10 largest Christian populations.

Similarly,  the CIA World Factbook’s 2018 estimate put the population at 53.5 per cent Muslim and 45.9 per cent Christian.

More recent demographic modelling by Statista shows a similar balance, placing Islam at 50.5 per cent of the population and Christianity at 45.5 per cent, with traditional religions making up the remainder.

Additionally, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA), in its 2025 projection, estimates 46.3 per cent Muslims and 45.8 per cent Christians, also showing near parity.

None of these reputable datasets places the Christian population at above 50 per cent.

The FactCheckHub sent a direct message to the X user, @VivianRora, for the source of her data, but she has not replied as of the time of filing this fact check.

VERDICT

The claim that Christians constitute 57 per cent of Nigeria’s population is FALSE. Multiple credible demographic sources consistently show that the population of Christians in Nigeria is less than half, with no credible evidence supporting the figure cited in the viral post.

 

Tinubu’s quote misrepresented as reaction to Wike-Yerima confrontation

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A quote attributed to President Bola Tinubu has been misrepresented online to suggest that it reflects the presidency’s position on the recent clash between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and a Nigerian Navy officer, Ahmed Yerima.

The quote reads: “They Put Their Lives On The Line To Defend The Sovereignty Of This Country.”

A Facebook user, Nigeria News- Headline Today, posted :

“President Tinubu Snubs The FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Backs Lieutenant A.M. Yerima And The Entire Military, Saying “They Put Their Lives On The Line To Defend The Sovereignty Of This Country.”

READ: False claim circulates on tenure elongation for FCT chairmen, councillors

The post has generated over 50 likes and 19 shares on Facebook.

The quote also surfaced here.

CLAIM

President Bola Tinubu backed the military over the altercation involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a naval officer.

screenshot of the post claiming Tinubu backs Army over Wike

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING as the quote was taken out of context.

Recall that on 11 November 2025, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike clashed with Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima of the Nigerian Navy over land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The land reportedly belonged to retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo (retd.).

The confrontation occurred after Wike accused the former naval chief of carrying out illegal construction on the property. When personnel from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) went to halt the development, Yerima allegedly assaulted the officers, prompting the minister’s intervention.

In a viral video, Wike questioned the presence of the military on the disputed land, insisting that the ex-naval chief had no legal documents to support his claim. Yerima responded that he and his men were acting on superior orders and refused to vacate the site.

Checks, however, show that the quote in circulation has nothing to do with the tussle that ensued between a Naval officer and the FCT minister.

READ ALSO: Did Antony Blinken name Peter Obi, Wike, Keyamo, others in US visa ban announcement?

Tinubu commented on the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) conference in Abuja on November 12, discussing the role the military plays in protecting the lives and properties of citizens.

He stated that, given the risks Nigerian soldiers take to protect the country’s territorial integrity, the military deserves the support and encouragement of all Nigerians.

“Yes, we are challenged by terrorism, banditry, and others. We recognise that. “Are we doing something about it? Are we inspiring the armed forces? Are we encouraging them to fight?

“They put their lives on the line to defend the sovereignty of this country. It is our responsibility,” he said

The President’s comments came in the context of recent calls on the Federal Government to nip the spate of killings by terrorists and bandits in the bud.

Earlier in the month, United States President Trump said Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria, describing the alleged killing as a “mass slaughter”.

The US president added that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening”.

But the Federal Government urged the US President to be understanding in his approach to Nigeria’s security challenges.

It said it was winning the war against terrorism with major achievements recorded in the north-eastern part of the country.

A keyword search online did not show any statement from the president on the matter.

VERDICT

The claim that the quote is the president’s reaction to the tussle that occurred between FCT minister, Nyesom Wike and the Nigerian army is MISLEADING. The quote was taken out of context.

Video of Tinubu praising Wike not related to FCT Minister–Naval officer clash

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A video circulating on social media claims to show President Bola Tinubu responding to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s recent clash with a Nigerian Navy officer.

The short clip shows Tinubu while addressing the press saying: “Wike is a good man and a performing minister.”

A Facebook page, Progressive Nigerian Politics, posted the video with the caption:

“President backs Wike over the military.”

READ : Misinformation trends during Anambra 2025 governorship election

The post has attracted hundreds of reactions and comments as of November 19, 2025.

THE CLAIM

Video shows President Tinubu praising Wike in response to his recent confrontation with a naval officer in the FCT.

screenshot of claim that Tinubu backs Wike

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

On 11 November 2025, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike clashed with a Lieutenant, Ahmed Yerima of the Nigerian Navy over land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The land reportedly belonged to retired Chief of Naval Staff.

The confrontation occurred after Wike accused the former naval chief of carrying out illegal construction on the property. When personnel from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) went to halt the development, Yerima allegedly stopped the officers, prompting the minister’s intervention.

In a viral video, Wike questioned the presence of the military on the disputed land, insisting that the ex-naval chief had no legal documents to support his claim. Yerima responded that he and his men were acting on superior orders and refused to vacate the site.

READ ALSO : Claim that Wike has been banned from entering the Villa is FALSE!

The viral video of Tinubu praising Wike, however, predates the November 11 FCT incident by nearly a year. A longer version of the clip was posted by Leadership, Pulse Ng and several other credible platforms in December 2024.

In the full video, Tinubu was addressing journalists in Lagos, commending Wike’s performance and describing him as a “goldmine” and a “performing minister.”

The remarks were not related to any clash with the Navy.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows President Tinubu praising Wike after a recent altercation with a Naval officer is MISLEADING. The video was recorded in December 2024, not after the November 2025 incident in FCT.