African News
Is Ethiopian Airlines the largest fleet in Africa as posted on X?
A social media page on X made a list of Africa’s largest airlines, ranking them by fleet size and putting Ethiopian Airlines as first.
The claim is TRUE.
Africa Facts Zone, a popular social media account, ranks the largest airlines by fleet size across Africa in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The page, which prides itself as a platform for facts, ranked Ethiopian Airlines with 154 planes as the largest airline in Africa by fleet size. It was followed by EgyptAir, 73 planes; Air Algeria, 53 planes; Royal Air Maroc, 50 planes; Air Peace, 44 planes and Kenya Airways, 33 planes as well as Tunisair, 29 planes. However, these numbers have not been corroborated by other experts.
For example, Business Insider Africapublished a recent report that also
presented the 5 largest airlines in Africa by fleet size in 2024.
Quoting Planespotter, a civil aviation database, the report noted that Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline with a fleet of 135 aircraft, followed by Egypt Air – 71, Air Algerie – 55, Royal Air Maroc – 50 and Kenya Airways – 34. Air Peace and Tunisair have 30 and 19 fleets respectively. The same information was documented by Biznakenya.
Additionally, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) 2023 annual report ranked Ethiopian Airlines as the largest airline with 129 fleet, followed by Egypt Air – 69, Air Algeria – 58, Royal Air Maroc – 50, Kenya Airways – 32 while Safair and Air Peace have 30 and 20 fleets respectively.
Conclusion
The claim that Ethiopian Airlines is the largest in Africa is TRUE though the data provided is not accurate.
African News
Did U.S. Troops Arrive in Nigeria in February 2026? Here’s the Truth Behind the Viral Video
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
| Claim | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 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.
African News
✴️ Ep.116– Does Viral Video Show a Market Between Congo and Gabon Where Parents Sell Their Children?
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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