Business
📬 Did people die in Anambra after receiving calls from a strange number?
Did people die in Anambra after receiving calls from a strange number?
A video has surfaced online showing people mourning over dead bodies laid on the grass.
The video being shared on WhatsApp shows corpses of children and adults lying on the ground with their loved ones crying over them. Those said to have narrowly escaped death can also be seen receiving medical attention.
According to a voice in the video, those being mourned died in Nnewi, Anambra state after they picked calls from a phone number that starts with +666999.
This claim is FALSE!
Verification:
We subjected the video to keyframe analysis on InVID a toolkit used to identify the source of visual content on the internet.
Running a reverse image search on the keyframes of the video, it was established that the video was from a stampede that occurred at a church outreach in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
On May 28, 2022, no fewer than 31 persons were confirmed dead in a stampede at a ‘Shop for free’ program organized by a pentecostal church, Kings Assembly at the Polo Club in Port Harcourt.
“From foodstuff to household items, furniture and supplies, clothes, shoes and sundry items for adults and kids, there is no limit to the gift items that are given out during this event,” a statement on the church’s website reads.
The church was said to have slated the event for 9 am on the said date but people arrived as early as 6:30 am to partake in the event.
Later on, some sportsmen arrived at the Polo Club, an opportunity the crowd seized to access the church’s tent. Unfortunately, a stampede occurred resulting in the death of about thirty persons.
The video was shared at the time on social media capturing moments people were mourning their loved ones while injured persons were being resuscitated.
This story was also covered by some major national dailies in late May when it happened.
Conclusion
The claim that people died in Anambra as a result of picking calls from a strange telephone number (+666999) is false. Rather a stampede occurred in Port Harcourt three months ago, leading to the deaths of dozens of people.
We fact-checked the viral claim that Ikeja Electric was named “Worst Company of the Year 2025” and that its executives received “Worst Business People” awards. Read the verdict.
A provocative message has been spreading rapidly across WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms in Nigeria. The claim is direct: Ikeja Electric was recognized as the Worst Company of the Year 2025.
The message goes further, alleging that the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Folake Soetan, and Board Chairman, Kola Adesina, received a specific award titled Worst Business People. The supposed presenter of this award was the Nigerian Global Business Forum.
We asked a simple question: Did this actually happen?
We conducted a thorough investigation to verify this claim:
- Searched for Official Announcements: We found no official press statement, event report, or award listing from the Nigerian Global Business Forum regarding a “Worst Company” award.
- Reputable News Platforms: Credible Nigerian and global media outlets that cover the power sector have no record of this award. If a major national distributor had been publicly named “worst company,” it would have been widely reported.
- Examined Context (Regulatory Action): While the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) did seal Ikeja Electric’s headquarters in December 2025 over compliance issues, regulatory enforcement is not the same as a global “worst company” award.
- Checked Previous Recognitions: In prior years, Ikeja Electric has received industry awards for performance and gender diversity, contradicting the claim of a consistent “worst” performance.
- Direct Company Response: Ikeja Electric has publicly denied the report and announced plans for a forensic investigation and possible legal action against those responsible for spreading the claim.
After examining all available evidence, one fact stands clear: There is no verifiable record that Ikeja Electric, its CEO, or its Chairman received any official “Worst Company of the Year 2025” or “Worst Business People” award.
This story circulating online is a headline without proof.
Our verdict is: Unverified. Until credible proof exists, this claim must be considered unverified misinformation.
When dramatic and provocative claims appear, especially those that damage reputations, it is crucial to pause and check. Look for official sources and independent confirmation. Absence of evidence does not prove innocence, but bold accusations require credible proof.
📰 Ep.117–WABMA Fake News Debunker;
Did U.S. Troops Arrive in Nigeria in February 2026? Here’s the Truth Behind the Viral Video
