A viral social media report claims that China plans to close its diplomatic missions in Abuja and Lagos and relocate them to Nike Lake in Enugu and World Bank Road in Owerri. The report further claims that the alleged move is because Igbo people travel to China more frequently than other Nigerians.

But is this claim true?

🔎 WABMA DEBUNKER INVESTIGATES.

In this episode, we examine the viral claim against official Chinese diplomatic records and other credible sources.

Our investigation found no credible evidence that China has announced the closure of its Embassy in Abuja or its Consulate General in Lagos. We also found no verified announcement establishing new Chinese embassies in Enugu or Owerri, or supporting the alleged ethnic explanation for the supposed relocation.

✅ VERDICT: FALSE

The viral claim is unsupported by the official records examined in this investigation. China’s diplomatic missions in Abuja and Lagos remain listed in official Chinese records.

📌 WHY THIS MATTERS

False claims about embassies, visas and international relations can cause unnecessary concern and encourage misinformation. Always check official embassy communications and foreign ministry announcements before sharing sensational reports.

📢 HAVE A CLAIM YOU WANT US TO FACT-CHECK?

WABMA Debunker | Episode 129 | Entertainment Fact-Check

A troubling image circulating online shows American YouTube star IShowSpeed wearing a Nigerian jersey. His face appears bruised. The caption is alarming. It claims he was attacked by road gang members in Nigeria while livestreaming along Ikoyi Road, Lagos.
It suggests that visiting Nigeria was unsafe. It paints a picture of chaos.

The post originates from an X account, @iamMrMarfo1. From there, it spreads.

But what really happened?

First, let’s examine the context.

IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., was recently in Lagos. He celebrated his 21st birthday. He surpassed 50 million YouTube subscribers. On December 29, 2025, he launched a 20 country African tour in 28 days. On January 21, he livestreamed from Balogun Market in Lagos Island. Crowds gathered. Security escorted him. The scene was intense but public.

Soon after, posts claimed he had been attacked.
The circulating images appeared to show facial injuries.

WHAT WE CHECKED

We examined the footage. According to reporting by Agence France Presse, the images were doctored. AFP traced the visuals back to specific timestamps in the original livestream. Moments at approximately 4:21:32 and 4:21:36 were manipulated to create the bruised effect.

AFP journalists who were physically present in Lagos during his visit reported that they did not witness any attack. They also heard nothing to suggest that an assault occurred. The altered images did not only appear in English. They spread in French, Arabic, Spanish, Hausa, and Zulu.

WHAT WE FOUND

It is important to note that IShowSpeed has faced disruptions during other international visits.
In Algeria, he was struck by thrown water bottles during a football match. In Norway in 2024, he experienced an incident outside a shop.

But those are separate events.

There is no credible evidence that he was attacked in Nigeria. No verified report. No confirmed injury. No authenticated footage. The viral image was manipulated.

Verdict: False.

When dramatic images circulate, especially those that inflame fear or damage reputations, verify before sharing.

Screenshots can be altered.
Livestreams can be edited.
Context matters.

This claim does not hold.