African News
Did Pfizer’s CEO say he wants to reduce world population by half by 2023?
A video shows Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla, saying his goal is to reduce the world’s population “by 50%” by 2023.
The claim is FALSE!
The thirty-second video obtained on WhatsApp showed the Pfizer CEO allegedly saying that his goal is to reduce the population of the world by 50%by 2023.The video was shared with the caption:
“Holy Crap! Can you believe Pfizer CEO says it’s their dream to reduce the population by 50 percent in 2023?”
This is an edited version of what Bourla said. In the edited video, Bourla appears to say: “By 2023 we will reduce the number of people in the world by 50%.” Numerous people across social media shared the edited footage, including one Facebook user who asked, “Who will arrest these two men and set up a citizens court to try them for charges of premeditated mass murder?”
The video was an edited version of an actual conversation Bourla participated in at the World Economic Forum in May 2022. In the real video, he says:
“I think that is really fulfilling of a dream that we had, together with our leadership team when we started in 2019. The first week we met in January of 2019 in California to set up the goals for the next five years – and one of them was by 2023, we will reduce the number of people in the world that cannot afford our medicines by 50 percent. I think today this dream is becoming reality.”
The edited clip omitted the words “that cannot afford our medicines.” The full interview is available on the World Economic Forum’s YouTube page, and the moment can be seen at the 2:35 mark:
CONCLUSION
The claim that Pfizer CEO said he will reduce the world by half is FALSE, given that the original source of the video was edited to present a misleading version of what Bourla.
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.
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