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Does Picture show a Youth Corp member beaten in Zamfara?

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A photo of a man’s back, crisscrossed with bloody wounds, is being shared widely online in Nigeria to be of a corps member beaten in Zamfara.

The claim is FALSE!

 

One of the posts seen with the picture claims that it is the back of a Nigerian National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member named Michael after he was beaten and flogged.

 

The text says: “Michael – serving in Nasara Standard Academy, perceived as the shining light in a tottering secondary education system in KauraNamoda – was today brutalised, manhandled and reduced to nothingness by a brainless team comprising of the ‘richest’ man in KauraNamoda and his equally wanton boys. What was his crime?”

 

It adds that, “Michael” punished a student who was the “ward” of the “richest man in KauraNamoda” and was then beaten up by the man and police officers supporting him.

 

The picture was traced to an article in February 2019, about the security forces of the former president of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir, under the caption: “Sudanese Protester tortured by Bashir Security forces”.

 

While the photo is not of an NYSC member and not of real torture, a corps member called Michael Uwakwe was “assaulted by police in Zamfara”, according to newspaper reports from March 2017 and statements by police. 

 

Mohammed Shehu, public relations officer for the Zamfara Police Command, confirmed that Michael Uwakwe was assaulted in 2017 but the photo used in the claim is a wrong photo.

 

“The photo used in the claim is not that of the corps member who was punished in 2017. Also, the corps member was not tortured and brutalized,” said the police PRO.

 

Shehu also released a statement “completely debunking the story and urging members of the public to discountenance it in its entirety”.

 

The NYSC has also stated that no corps member was assaulted in the area recently.

CONCLUSION

The claim that a corps member was beaten in Zamfara as shown in the picture is FALSE

 

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African News

📰 Ep.117–WABMA Fake News Debunker;

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💥 Did U.S. Military Forces Arrive in Nigeria in February 2026, and are the claims in viral video true?

A video circulating online sparked major reactions, with many believing the United States had deployed troops for combat operations in Nigeria. But what’s the real story? —

Let’s look at the facts.👇
https://youtu.be/anlCJiDQx0E
🎥

🙏Pls. Watch, like & subscribe to our channel! WABMA, in collaboration with media professionals, continues the fight against fake news and misinformation across social and traditional media.

FMI: Visit our website for more verified insights: projectfactchecknigeria.org

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African News

Did U.S. Troops Arrive in Nigeria in February 2026? Here’s the Truth Behind the Viral Video

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A viral video circulating across social media has sparked widespread concern, claiming that United States military forces arrived in Nigeria on February 15, 2026, suggesting a possible foreign intervention.

Given the sensitivity of national security and public anxiety surrounding such claims, we conducted a detailed verification to separate fact from speculation.


🔍 WHAT WE INVESTIGATED

To verify the claim, we examined:

  • The viral video and its context
  • Reports from reputable international media
  • Official statements from Nigerian defence authorities
  • Information from U.S. government and military sources

✅ WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

✔️ U.S. Military Personnel Did Arrive in Nigeria

Credible reports confirm that approximately 100 U.S. troops arrived in Nigeria around mid-February 2026.

This deployment is part of an ongoing security cooperation mission between Nigeria and the United States.

🎯 Purpose of the Mission

The presence of U.S. personnel is focused on supporting Nigeria’s fight against insurgent groups, including:

  • Boko Haram
  • Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)

Their activities include:

  • Training Nigerian military personnel
  • Sharing intelligence
  • Providing technical and operational support
  • Strengthening counter-terrorism capacity

❌ WHAT IS MISLEADING OR FALSE

🚫 No Evidence of Independent Combat Operations

Despite claims online, there is no verified evidence that U.S. troops are conducting independent combat missions in Nigeria.

🚫 No Threat to Nigeria’s Sovereignty

Nigerian authorities have clarified that the deployment:

  • Is part of an existing bilateral agreement
  • Does not override Nigeria’s control over its military operations
  • Falls within standard international security cooperation

🧠 CONTEXT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Nigeria has faced ongoing security challenges in parts of the North, with insurgent groups carrying out attacks on civilians and security forces.

As a result, international partnerships—including with the United States—have long played a role in:

  • Military training
  • Intelligence collaboration
  • Logistical support

This latest deployment aligns with those ongoing efforts.


📊 SUMMARY

ClaimVerdict
U.S. troops arrived in Nigeria✅ True
Troops are conducting combat operations❌ Not supported
Nigeria’s sovereignty is compromised❌ False

🏁 FINAL VERDICT

Mostly True — But Misleading Without Context

While U.S. military personnel did arrive in Nigeria in February 2026, their role is strictly advisory and support-based, not a full-scale combat deployment as suggested by viral claims.


⚠️ WHY THIS MATTERS

Misinformation around military activity can quickly escalate fear and confusion.

Understanding the difference between:

  • Military cooperation
  • and military intervention

…is critical for informed public discourse.


🔔 STAY INFORMED

Follow our Fake News Debunker Series for verified, fact-checked updates on trending stories.

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African News

✴️ Ep.116– Does Viral Video Show a Market Between Congo and Gabon Where Parents Sell Their Children?

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A viral video claims to show a “child market” between Congo and Gabon where parents allegedly sell their children. But is this true?

In this episode of WABMA Fake News Debunker (Ep. 116), we carefully examine the footage, verify available evidence, and separate fact from fiction.

🔍 What we investigated:

  • The viral video and its visual details
  • Reports from credible international media
  • Data from global child-protection organizations
  • Any evidence of a “child market” in the Congo–Gabon region

Our Verdict: FALSE
There is no verified evidence that such a market exists. The viral video does not prove child trafficking and has been shared without proper context.

⚠️ Why this matters:
Misinformation like this spreads fear, reinforces harmful stereotypes, and distracts from real child protection issues.


🎓 Learn Media & Fact-Checking Skills with WABMA
Become a skilled media professional in just 5 weeks.

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🌐 wabma.org

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