African News
Did Igbos Recently Attack the Nigerian Embassy in Senegal?
A video appeared on X, claiming to show a shocking scene—an attack on the Nigerian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, allegedly carried out by Igbos. The footage, branded with a dramatic watermark reading, “Wild crowd of Ibo Biafrans attacked Nigerian embassy in Dakar Senegal, beat officials, loot, vandalised properties, and torn the Nigerian flag,” was quickly shared far and wide. It stirred emotions, especially when Ridwan Ajetunmobi, a Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Lagos State Governor, reposted it with the caption: “It’s a regular trademark.”
The video gained momentum fast—thousands of views, hundreds of likes, and reposts all spreading the story. Another X user, @NoNonsensezone, fanned the flames with a similar caption: “Trending Video: A video circulating on social media shows men from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria attacking an Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Looting, vandalising—this madness!”
But something about the video felt off.
Fact-checkers dug deep, running a reverse image search on the video’s keyframes. What they discovered was startling: the video didn’t show a recent event at all. It was footage from March 2013, not 2024 as many had believed. The X posts were not just wrong—they were dangerously misleading.
Adding to this, there was no solid evidence that the people in the video were from the Igbo tribe, as the narrative suggested. The story being pushed was designed to inflame ethnic tensions in Nigeria, stirring up hostility with a false narrative. Worse still, there were no reports from credible sources about any unrest or riots involving Nigerians in Dakar, Senegal.
The conclusion?
The video that allegedly shows Igbos attacking the Nigerian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, is old—dating back to 2013—and completely misrepresented. The claim is false, and the video is being weaponized to incite tension between Igbos and other ethnic groups in Nigeria. Another case of misinformation with the power to divide.
========================
African News
“Skin Whitening Injections, Naira Note Rumors & COVID-19 XEC in Nigeria – Debunker Ep. 96”
Skin whitening, a trend primarily driven by a desire for lighter skin tones, has gained alarming popularity in many West African countries, with new forms emerging, including skin-whitening injections. These injections are particularly prevalent in countries like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Niger, and Senegal. Promoted via social media and word of mouth, these injections promise fast, uniform skin lightening. However, concerns over their safety and authenticity are on the rise
.
The Practices:
Injections, often touted for their quick effects, are gaining traction, especially among wealthier, younger women in these countries. A study by AFP revealed that skin-whitening injections, often containing glutathione (a powerful antioxidant used in cancer treatment), are now administered by both professionals and individuals themselves, sometimes at home. These injections are marketed to promise rapid, long-lasting results, a claim supported by some, yet dismissed by many experts.
The Facts: Despite the rapid spread of these injections, experts warn of severe health risks. Skin-lightening products in West Africa—whether in cream or injectable form—are linked to a host of serious conditions. In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared skin lightening a national health emergency due to risks like skin cancer, renal toxicity, diabetes, and hypertension from products containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and mercury.
In Ghana and Nigeria, many among the population useskin lightening products, leading to conditions like dermatitis, acne, and skin thinning, with more severe issues such as kidney failure being documented after prolonged use. Similarly, Senegal sees high rates of skin-lightening cream use, resulting in numerous skin conditions due to prolonged exposure to these substances.
The Verdict:
Investigations by the French news agency, AFP, uncovered that many of these skin-whitening injections are not what they claim to be. A lab analysis of one popular product in Ivory Coast revealed that it contained no whitening agents at all and experts such as dermatologist Sarah Kourouma have confirmed that many injections contain steroids and other substances, which can cause serious side effects like depigmentation, diabetes, and hypertension. In some cases, improper administration can lead to severe infections due to unsanitary needles, the AFP reports.
Further investigations by authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ghanaian Ministry of Health have confirmed that these glutathione injections, popular in the market, pose significant health risks, including liver and kidney damage, nervous system toxicity, and even the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis. A lab test in Paris revealed that some batches of these injections contained nothing but vitamins and sugars, further exposing the fraudulent nature of many products marketed as skin-whitening solutions.
Conclusion:
The claim that skin-whitening injections in West Africa are safe and genuine is FALSE. These products are often unregulated and poorly supervised thus posing significant health risks, from chronic illnesses to infections. It is crucial that consumers seek medical advice and avoid unproven and dangerous cosmetic procedures.
A flurry of Facebook posts has recently surfaced, enticing users with promises of a “₦20,000 grant” from Peter Obi, alongside claims of a ₦15,000 giveaway to all Nigerians in celebration of his birthday. However, a closer examination reveals a very different story.
The posts, which appeared on September 14, 2024, proclaimed: “Congrats! Apply for a grant of ₦20,000 by the Peter Obi Foundation. Application Ends Soon.” While the allure of free money spread rapidly, a click on the provided links led users to an unrelated website about “US Visa Sponsorship Opportunities in 2024/2025,” raising immediate suspicions.
Despite reports of Obi donating to various causes, there is no evidence of him establishing a foundation or distributing funds through social media. A thorough search of Obi’s verified X account, where he regularly shares updates about his life and political endeavors, yielded no mention of any such giveaways.
Given his substantial following, it seems improbable that he would initiate a giveaway without broadcasting it.
In July 2024, Obi explicitly distanced himself from these schemes through a statement from his special adviser on media, Valentine Obienyem.
He firmly denied involvement in any fraudulent giveaways, stating that his focus remains on investing in critical areas such as health, education, and poverty alleviation.
In conclusion, the claim that Peter Obi is conducting a giveaway on Facebook is unequivocally false, serving as a cautionary tale against online scams.
“Skin Whitening Injections, Naira Note Rumors & COVID-19 XEC in Nigeria – Debunker Ep. 96”
