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What you should know about Ebola

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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What you should know about Ebola

NIGERIA’s health authorities have intensified Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) awareness campaigns following new outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa, despite no confirmed cases in the country.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), says the measures are preventive, aimed at reducing the risk of cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where outbreaks were declared on May 16, 2026.

What is Ebola and how does it spread?

WHO explained that Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe and often fatal form of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a member of the Orthoebolavirus genus. First identified during a 2007 outbreak in the Bundibugyo District of western Uganda, this particular species causes what is clinically referred to as Bundibugyo virus disease. The virus is zoonotic in origin, with fruit bats believed to be the natural reservoir, and transmission to humans occurring through direct contact with infected wildlife or exposure to bodily fluids of infected persons, as well as contaminated surfaces.

Once the virus crosses over into the human population, the cause of its spread changes from animal contact to person-to-person transmission. This happens through direct contact with the broken skin or mucous membranes of a healthy person and the bodily fluids of an infected individual. These fluids include blood, vomit, faeces, saliva, urine, sweat, breast milk, and semen. It can also spread when someone handles contaminated materials like bedding, clothing, soiled needles, or unsterilised medical equipment. Because the virus is highly virulent, specific groups face elevated risk of infection during a Bundibugyo strain outbreak.

Frontline healthcare workers and laboratory personnel are particularly vulnerable if strict infection prevention measures are not followed. Family members and caregivers looking after sick relatives, as well as individuals participating in traditional burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the deceased, are also at high risk.

READ: Hantavirus: No need to panic, expert reassures Nigerians

Common symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain and weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained bleeding or bruising, and fatigue.

Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or specific approved antiviral treatment targeting the Bundibugyo virus species as stated by the health bodies. However, public health experts emphasised that there is no need for panic, as early medical intervention and supportive care significantly improve survival rates. Providing early treatment, such as intravenous fluids, electrolyte balancing, and managing specific symptoms in designated centres, drastically reduces complications and saves lives.

Furthermore, NCDC and other health agencies reiterate that Ebola is not an airborne disease; it does not spread through the air like the flu or COVID-19, nor does it spread via mosquito bites or casual interactions like waving. An infected person cannot pass on the virus until they begin to show active clinical symptoms. Vigilance, proper hygiene, and collective preparedness remain the country’s best defence against potential cross-border transmission.

READ ALSO: No, Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Hantavirus

Preventive measures

To ensure safety, the NCDC and international health bodies recommend adherence to the following preventive measures:

  • Washing hands regularly with soap and clean running water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when water is unavailable.
  • Avoiding direct physical contact with the blood, vomit, diarrhoea, or any other bodily fluids of anyone showing symptoms of the illness.
  • Not participating in unsafe burial practices or handling the bodies of individuals who have died from suspected viral symptoms.
  • Avoiding contact with sick or dead wild animals, particularly fruit bats and monkeys.
  • Ensuring that all meat and bushmeat products are properly handled and thoroughly cooked before consumption.
  • Seeking immediate medical attention at a designated healthcare facility if you or a family member develops a sudden fever after travelling to an affected region.

Nigerians are advised to follow all official public health advisories and refrain from spreading unverified rumours or false information about the virus.

 

Old video of unrest in Ebonyi reused to depict fresh Enugu attack

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Old video of unrest in Ebonyi reused to depict fresh Enugu attack

AN X user, @AloyEjimakor, posted a video claiming it shows a recent attack by terrorists in Ishiagu and Awgu communities in Nigeria’s South-East.

He shared the video on June 1 with the caption: “NdIgbo, this just happened in your homeland, in the vicinity of Ishiagu & Awgu, central Igboland. Who did it & number of casualties are all in the video. It’s indeed another tragedy.”    

The post generated over 600 reposts and more than 700 likes as of June 2, 2026.

READ : Viral video falsely claims terrorists invade Ibadan community

In the video, the poster claims that herdsmen attacked and killed some villagers, leading to a roadblock and protests by residents of the community.

The video was also shared on Facebook by Chinasa Nworu, with the caption:

“JUST IN:
Several people were reportedly killed in a terrorist attack at Awgu Junction, near the Federal College of Education, Enugu State. Hundreds of residents gathered along the federal highway following the attack as tension spread across the area. Zukura Nation reporting.”

The post has generated over 1,000 likes and shares on Facebook.

Screenshot of the post by Chinasa Nworu

CLAIM

Video shows a recent attack in Enugu communities.

screenshot of the viral post on X

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The claim is circulating amid renewed concerns over insecurity and reported attacks in parts of Nigeria, including incidents of armed violence in the South-East and other regions in recent years.

A keyword search and reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub show that the video is not recent.

A similar version of the footage was shared earlier on a community page on February 21, with a caption indicating that the incident occurred in Ishiagu, a town in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The visuals and location cues in both videos match.

In the earlier post, the poster wrote: “Happening live in Ishiagu junction. Insecurity everywhere… Please His Excellency the Governor of Ebonyi State come to our aid,” suggesting the incident predated the viral June 2026 claims.

READ ALSO : Viral screenshot of Trump reacting to Maiduguri attack doctored

Additionally, in the comment section of the Facebook post shared by Chinasa Nworu, a user identified as Regina Ukah Chinwe claimed she witnessed the incident and confirmed it happened in February.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command issued a statement on June 1, 2026, debunking the claim and warning against the spread of false information.

The statement titled “Enugu Police Refute False Claim of Herdsmen Killing at Awgu Junction, Warn Mischief-Makers Against Spreading Falsehoods” noted that the viral video did not reflect any recent incident in the state.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows a recent attack in Enugu communities is FALSE. The video is old and actually shows a past incident of unrest in Ishiagu junction, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which circulated earlier in February 2026.

Presidency goofs, falsely accuses VDM over doctored ‘Tinubu audio’

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Presidency goofs, falsely accuses VDM over doctored ‘Tinubu audio’

FINDINGS have shown that the Presidency goofed after threatening social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over a manipulated audio clip falsely attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The controversial doctored audio the Presidency was referring to was not part of original video posted by VDM.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had on Wednesday called for the activist’s prosecution, accusing him of disseminating fake audio linked to the president.

“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote on his verified X account.

The presidential aide was reacting to a viral clip circulating online in which AI-generated voice notes resembling Tinubu’s voice made controversial remarks about insecurity in the South-East, opposition parties, borrowing from the World Bank, and the 2027 general election.

The video was shared by an X user, @Pious_minister, who alleged that the doctored audio of the President was used in one of VDM’s videos.

“How do you really convince someone who has already decided and believes in their mind that this is actually Asiwaju’s voice? What kind of cheap propaganda is this?

“VDM knows that Ibos are highly emotional people, and that’s why he enjoys riding on their emotions,” the user wrote.

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the viral clip did not originate from VDM’s original upload.

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the video in circulation is a manipulated version of Instagram video posted by VDM on Tuesday, May 26.

In the original footage, the activist was reacting to comments made by content creator and philanthropist Mitchell “King Mitchy” Mukoro, who had alleged that his necklace was a charm and claimed he visited a shrine.

Screenshot of the original post made by VDM

Responding, VDM played an old campaign clip of Tinubu speaking about electricity and governance ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

In the original campaign footage aired by TVC News, Tinubu had said Nigerians should not vote for him for a second term if he failed to improve electricity supply.

“Whichever way, by all means necessary, you must have electricity, and you won’t pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I run for a second term, don’t vote for me. That’s the truth,” Tinubu said in the original clip.

However, findings show that an unidentified individual later extracted portions of VDM’s original video and inserted a doctored voice note resembling the president’s voice.

The edited clip retained the opening section of VDM’s original video before switching to the fabricated audio, creating the false impression that the activist shared or endorsed the recordings himself.

The manipulated version subsequently circulated widely on social media and appeared to have prompted Onanuga’s call for VDM’s prosecution.

VDM blasts Presidency

Reacting in a video posted on his social media page, VDM lampooned Onanuga, insisting that he would not defend the controversial AI-generated clip.

The activist criticised the Presidency for reacting swiftly to the manipulated audio while allegedly remaining silent over recent insecurity incidents, including the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State.

“Bandits went into a school in Oyo State, they carried three teachers, one man, two women, they carried students. One of the teachers was backing an infant child. Few days later, there was a report that one of the teachers was beheaded. Bayo Onanuga, where is your comment on that?”

“As I speak to you today, it is Children’s Day. Those children are still in an unknown location. I want to see wetin una wan do. It’s only stupid people that will believe that video,” he wrote.

VDM’s lawyers faults Presidency’s verification process

Reacting to the accusation, VDM’s lawyers, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, accused the Presidency of failing to verify the authenticity and origin of the manipulated clip before publicly attacking their client.

“A simple verification of our client’s verified social media platforms would have confirmed that he neither made nor shared the said audio,” the lawyers stated.

They further described the Presidency’s comments as premature and unsupported by evidence.

“It is therefore surprising that, despite the resources available to the Presidency, adverse comments were made concerning our client without proper verification of the facts,” the team added.

The lawyers called on security agencies to investigate the actual source of the doctored audio and identify those responsible for creating and circulating it.

Old skit falsely shared as Nigerian soldiers losing battle against Oyo kidnappers

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Old skit falsely shared as Nigerian soldiers losing battle against Oyo kidnappers

An X user, @Gozie07, has posted a video purportedly showing a Nigerian soldier on the battlefield saying that three men had died and urgently requesting backup.

The user posted the video on May 20, 2026, suggesting that soldiers involved in the operation to rescue the people abducted in Esin-Ele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State recently are facing defeat.

READ : Claims of mass kidnapping in Oyo, state of emergency in South West are FALSE

He captioned the post: “Nigerian soldiers are falling wotowoto (in droves) in Oyo. They will never show you this, they only have the right ammunition when it has to do with IPOB, Biafra matter in south east. The hypocrisy of the military & their govt. Poor stupid soldiers.”

As of May 25, 2026, the post had generated over 500 reposts and more than 900 likes.

CLAIM

Video shows Nigerian soldiers suffering defeat while pursuing kidnappers in Oyo State.

screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The claim surfaced amid public concern over the abduction of pupils and staff from schools in Esin-Ile and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that triggered security operations in the area.

READ ALSO : Viral video of protester calling for military takeover is from Edo not Oyo

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the viral footage has no connection to the Oyo kidnapping incident.

The FactCheckHub subjected keyframes from the video to Google Reverse Image Search, which traced the footage to a Facebook content creator known as Oga Dan, who posted the video on May 5, 2026 – ten days before the Oyo abduction occurred.

A review of the account shows that the creator regularly produces staged military-themed skits and battlefield-style content.

Similar videos from the same account, as can be seen here and here, show that the content is fictional and created for entertainment purposes.

This confirms that the footage predates the Oyo incident and was falsely repurposed to support a misleading narrative about the Nigerian military.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Nigerian soldiers suffering defeat while pursuing kidnappers in Oyo State is FALSE. The footage is a staged skit that had been online before the Oyo abduction incident and has no connection to the ongoing security operation to rescue the victims.

Viral chart falsely inflates Nigeria’s extreme poverty data

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Viral chart falsely inflates Nigeria’s extreme poverty data

A race chart circulating on social media claims to show a data breakdown of the number of people living in extreme poverty by country between 1992 and 2026.

The interactive ranks Nigeria at the top of the global index, claiming that over 94 million (94,725,734) Nigerians live in extreme poverty.

A verified x user @ejykmykel1 made this post on May 21, 2026, with the caption: “Number of People Living in Extreme Poverty by Country (1992–2026). Focus on Nigeria and China. “In 1992, China held the first position globally with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty. Nigeria ranked eighth during the same period. 

“By 2026, Nigeria has advanced to the first position among countries with the highest number of individuals in extreme poverty. China, in turn, has moved from its leading position in 1992 to a position of negligible extreme poverty headcount. 

“This dramatic shift in global rankings, with Nigeria ascending to the top while China has effectively resolved the challenge at scale, further demonstrates that Nigeria is a failing state.”

As of May 22, the post has garnered over 23,000 views, 450 reposts and over 400 likes. The post has misled many people due to the data used and the current economic realities.

READ: Manipulated images falsely portray Buhari as alive in Egypt

CLAIM

Data shows Nigeria currently ranks first globally with 94,725,734 people in extreme poverty.

Screenshot of the viral post on x

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE. The figures, current headcounts, and timeline metrics used in the viral infographics are completely fabricated and conflict directly with official global poverty databases.

A comparative analysis by The FactCheckHub of the data displayed in the viral chart against the official records of the World Poverty Clock reveals major data manipulation.

The viral chart claims Nigeria has 94,725,734 people living in extreme poverty. However, live data for 2026 from the World Poverty Clock dashboard shows Nigeria’s actual extreme poverty headcount stands at 73,099,724, which constitutes roughly 31 per cent of the population. The graphic’s creator inflated the current figure by more than 21 million people.

screenshot of the current count

The historical benchmarks for other countries are also heavily distorted. The chart claims that China had an extreme poverty population of 26,318,034 in 2016. Data archived by the World Poverty Clock for 2016 shows the actual number was 19,863,870, representing about one per cent of China’s total population at the time.

World Poverty Clock data for 2016 shows Nigeria’s extreme poverty count was 46,101,218. This represented about 25 per cent of the country’s total population of 186,010,140 at the time, but the chart said otherwise.

Furthermore, checks show that Nigeria does not occupy the top position on the global extreme poverty index. According to current indicators from the World Poverty Clock, South Sudan ranks as the country with the highest extreme poverty rate in the world. That is, 13,324,141 people out of 16,590,820 are currently living with extreme poverty, and that’s over 80 per cent of its population living below the global poverty line.

Also, according to the World Population Review Poverty Index, South Sudan maintains the highest extreme poverty density globally at approximately 82.3 per cent. This means that only 17.7 per cent of its population live above the poverty line (of $3.65 per day as set by the World Bank), while Nigeria maintains approximately 56.2 per cent extreme poverty rate, and only 43.8 per cent of its popular live above the poverty line.

While Nigeria currently maintains high extreme poverty rate, it’s not the top country on the list as claimed by the post.

VERDICT

The infographic ranking Nigeria’s extreme poverty population at 94.7 million is FALSE. Real-time indicators from the World Poverty Clock shows that the current 2026 figure is 73 million. South Sudan holds the highest global poverty density, and the historical reference points used across the chart’s timeline have been completely manipulated.

No! Video does not show Smart Adeyemi criticising Tinubu’s administration over insecurity

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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No! Video does not show Smart Adeyemi criticising Tinubu’s administration over insecurity

A VIDEO circulating on social media claims to show the former senator who represented Kogi West Senatorial District, Smart Adeyemi, criticising President Bola Tinubu on the floor of the Senate over insecurity in Nigeria.

The accompanying caption claims that Adeyemi was fiercely addressing Tinubu’s administration, warning it that loyal party members could no longer remain silent.

The video, which features a digital watermark reading “22-05-2026” from an account branded as EdoOnlineTv, was shared by a verified X user @DAMIADENUGA on May 22, 2026, with the caption: “President Tinubu should understand that we, the loyal supporters of the APC, can no longer remain silent, our security system has c0llaps£d, and every part of this country now lives under f£ar and uncertainty.”

As of May 22, the clip has generated over 17,000 views, 400 likes and more than 130 reposts.

READ: Manipulated images falsely portray Buhari as alive in Egypt

CLAIM

Video shows APC Senator Smart Adeyemi during a Senate plenary session on May 22, 2026, lambasting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over nationwide insecurity.

screenshot of the viral post on x

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

A reverse image search conducted on keyframes from the video, combined with keyword searches, reveals that the video is completely recycled.

The emotional plenary session featuring Adeyemi took place on April 27, 2021. He was contributing to an urgent motion sponsored by another senator, Mohammed Musa, regarding the infiltration of Boko Haram terrorists into communities in Niger State. The lawmaker broke down in tears as he criticised the administration of the then President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of the situation and called on president, now late, to rise to the occasion and seek foreign assistance. Adeyemi argued that the nation was on fire.

READ ALSO: Viral sponsored post falsely claims Buhari endorsed fraudulent trading platform

Unedited footage found by The FactCheckHub, dating back to April 2021, shows that the statement was explicitly directed at Buhari and not at Tinubu. Tinubu did not assume office until May 29, 2023, more than two years after Adeyemi passed his remarks, as contained in the video.

Furthermore, Adeyemi is not a member of the current 10th National Assembly. He served in the 9th National Assembly, which concluded its term in June 2023.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Smart Adeyemi criticising Tinubu’s administration over insecurity is MISLEADING. The video is from April 2021 during the late Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency. The digital timestamp is fabricated, as Adeyemi has not served in the Nigerian Senate since 2023.

 

Video from Ethiopia falsely used to depict armed bandits in Nigeria

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Video from Ethiopia falsely used to depict armed bandits in Nigeria

A video circulating on social media claims to show armed bandits in Nigeria preparing for a fresh attack.

The footage shows a large group of armed men running in circles, chanting in an unfamiliar language while carrying weapons.

An X user, @NemeremNjoku, shared the video on May 22, 2026, with the caption: “This is Nigeria, yes you should be worried.”

As of May 22, the post had generated over 1,000 engagements, including reposts and likes, with many users expressing concern over the alleged threat.

CLAIM

Video shows armed bandits in Nigeria preparing for an attack.

screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The video appears to be resurfacing amid heightened public anxiety over worsening insecurity in parts of Nigeria, including the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno, among other insecurity incidents that have renewed public fears about safety.

However, checks by The FactCheckHub show that the footage is not from Nigeria.

READ ALSO : No, video does not show bandits attack on Abuja community

The same video had circulated months earlier. On November 28, 2025, a Nigerian senator, Ned Nwoko, shared the footage on his verified Instagram account while advocating for citizens to be legally armed for self-defence. Even though the post provided no verified evidence that the footage was from Nigeria, the video has been used repeatedly by social media users to depict terrorists operating in Nigeria.

In a version of the video shared by a Facebook account, Politics Nigeria in November 2025, a Facebook account, Bill Rogan, pointed out that the video shows “Oromonians in Ethiopia who have been fighting for independence since 1973 as the original natives of the land!”

The claim had also been fact-checked by Dubawa in November 2025, and it was traced to Ethiopia, not Nigeria.

The organisation contacted Rehobot Ayalew, an Ethiopian fact-checker, who confirmed that the individuals in the footage were speaking Afaan Oromo, one of the major languages widely spoken in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.

According to her, the attire worn by the men, particularly the red and green colours, also aligns with symbols associated with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), an Ethiopian political movement with armed factions.

This confirms that the footage has no connection to Nigeria and is being falsely recirculated in a misleading context.

VERDICT

The claim that the video shows armed bandits in Nigeria preparing for an attack is FALSE. The footage is traced to Ethiopia, where it shows individuals linked to the Oromo Liberation Front, not bandits in Nigeria.

Viral video falsely claims terrorists invade Ibadan community

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Viral video falsely claims terrorists invade Ibadan community

A VIRAL video circulating on social media, shared by a verified X user @Somtolism7, claims to capture a violent invasion of a local community in Ibadan, Oyo State, by terrorists.

The footage shows terrified residents running down an untarred road as commercial motorcycles speed past.

The post accompanied with the caption:

“Just in: Fulanis terrorists just stumbled another community in Ibadan.”

As of May 22, the post has garnered over 230,000 views, 2500 likes and over 1000 reposts. In addition to profiling the Fulani ethnic group, the claim has incited fear and has been virally shared.

READ: Reno Omokri makes false claim about Nigeria’s debt reduction under Tinubu

CLAIM

A viral video captures an allegedly recent invasion of an Ibadan community in Oyo State by terrorists.

screenshot of the viral post on x

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The video was not filmed anywhere in Nigeria, nor does it portray any local herder-farmer clashes or domestic security operations.

Keyword searches done by The FactCheckHub traced the unedited version of the footage back to an Instagram reel posted by Congolese media handle, @congoyetu_, on May 8, 2026.

The upload occurred exactly two weeks before the cropped version was deceptively recirculated on Nigerian social media spaces.

The original, uncropped video features a clear French text overlay that reads:

“Panique à Byakato, dans le territoire de Mambasa, après des rumeurs signalant la présence des ADF dans la cité”. Translated into English, it reads: “Panic in Byakato, in the territory of Mambasa, following rumors signaling the presence of the ADF in the town.”

screenshot of the original footage on Instagram

Also, official security reports from Xinhua News Agency and global updates from CGTN Africa confirm that on May 7, 2026, a real incursion by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels hit the town of Biakato (also spelled Byakato) in the Mambasa Territory of Ituri Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The attack killed at least 12 civilians and triggered massive panic, forcing hundreds of local residents to flee their households for safety.

VERDICT

The claim that the viral video shows “Fulani terrorists” invading Ibadan is FALSE. The original footage captures Congolese civilians fleeing a humanitarian crisis in Biakato village, Democratic Republic of Congo, following an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militant group.

Viral post falsely claims South-West states, Kwara lack cocoa plantations

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Viral post falsely claims South-West states, Kwara lack cocoa plantations

A POST circulating on social media claims that South-West states, including Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, and Ogun, alongside Kwara State, have no cocoa plantations.

The user shared a screenshot of a news headline detailing Enugu state’s launch of a 20-hectare pilot cocoa plantation to argue that traditional cocoa-producing states in the South-West are suffering from “visionless leadership” and have abandoned production.

A verified X user @tajudine2013gm2 made the post on May 19, 2026, with the caption:

“No Cocoa plantation in Oyo. No Cocoa Plantation in Osun. No Cocoa Plantation in Ekiti. No Cocoa Plantation in Ondo. No Cocoa Plantation in Ogun. No Cocoa Plantation in Kwara. But Enugu State that was not a beneficiary from Cocoa under Awolowo is planting it. We are suffering from Visionless Leadership.”

As of May 20, the post has garnered over 24,000 views, 140 likes and over 50 reposts.

The post has sparked intense regional debates regarding agricultural output and economic management.

READ: True! Dove soap, other cosmetic products banned in 2022 for containing toxic chemicals

CLAIM

The post claims that Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, and Kwara states currently have no cocoa plantations.

Screenshot of the viral post on X

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

Checks by The FactCheckHub into the data from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and the Cocoa Association of Nigeria confirm that Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Kwara are active, federally recognised cocoa-producing states. Nigeria’s cocoa belt remains heavily concentrated within the South-West geopolitical zone, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s total annual cocoa export volume.

READ MORE: AI-Generated images falsely show Osimhen, VeryDarkMan welcoming Tinubu in Turkey

Ondo State stands as Nigeria’s largest cocoa producer, contributing over 50 per cent of the country’s entire output. Academic and export data published via ResearchGate documents that hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers actively cultivate over 600,000 combined hectares of functional cocoa plantations across Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states.

The news article screenshot used in the viral post details an official announcement reported by Nairametrics regarding Enugu State partnering with private investors to establish a new 20-hectare pilot cocoa plantation to expand its revenue base. The article highlights that Enugu is sourcing high-yielding seedlings specifically from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria based in Ibadan, Oyo State, to jumpstart its new local initiative.

VERDICT

The claim that Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, and Kwara states have no cocoa plantations is FALSE. These states form the bedrock of Nigeria’s multi-million-dollar cocoa export economy, and official data proves their plantations remain fully operational.

Manipulated images falsely portray Buhari as alive in Egypt

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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0
Manipulated images falsely portray Buhari as alive in Egypt

A POST circulating on social media claims that Nigeria’s late former president, Muhammadu Buhari, is still alive and currently residing in Egypt.

The post features images showing a young woman alongside an individual resembling Buhari.

A verified user @AndrenalineJ004 made the post on May 19, 2026, with an error-laden caption: “So buhari is still alive my sister meet him in egypt 🇪🇬, baba don turn old taker“.

The post generated over 365,000 views, 2,300 likes and over 120 reposts, as of 9:15am (GMT) on May 19, with many users questioning the validity of the images.

READ: Fake report of Christian convert, Zainab Muhamadu circulates online

CLAIM

Images prove late Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is still alive and living in Egypt.

Screenshot of the viral post on X

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, and the accompanying images are AI-generated deepfakes.

Late President Muhammadu Buhari passed away at the age of 82 on July 13, 2025, at a hospital in London following a prolonged illness. His death was officially announced by the Presidency and extensively reported by major national and international media outlets, including The ICIR, and The Guardian. Following his demise, his remains were flown back to Nigeria, and he was buried according to Islamic rites on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

To verify the authenticity of the trending images, The FactCheckHub analysed the images using Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool and the result of the analysis shows that the images are highly likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content. Specifically, the detection software returned an 84.3 per cent probability score for a Deepfake face-swap and a 31.9 per cent score for a fully AI-generated image environment, indicating deliberate digital manipulation.

READ ALSO: Viral sponsored post falsely claims Buhari endorsed fraudulent trading platform

 

Result of the analysis

Furthermore, a closer physical examination of the images reveals classic visual anomalies common to AI generation. The facial features of the individual mimicking Buhari look heavily altered, displaying an unnatural, hyper-smooth texture, distorted alignment around the frames of the glasses, and digital blending artefacts along the edges where the two subjects meet in the frame.

VERDICT

The claim that Muhammadu Buhari is alive in Egypt is FALSE. The former president passed away and was buried in July 2025. The images being circulated are deepfakes.

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