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Is there a place named Abeokuta in Jamaica, Gambia and Benin?

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A social media post claims that Abeokuta as the name of a city exists in four different countries.

The claim is PARTLY TRUE.

The social media post said Abeokuta can be found in Nigeria, Jamaica, The Gambia and Benin Republic.

 

The town of Abeokuta, Nigeria, has been directly linked to Abeokuta in Negril, Jamaica for over three hundred years. This occurred when the first slaves taken to the Parish of Westmoreland were brought to this Plantation from Abeokuta, Nigeria. The Park occupies 13 acres of land on a hill that was the original Plantation Yard.

 

The Park is a beautiful unspoiled natural Jamaican attraction officially opened on January 5, 2003, by the Nigerian High Commissioner, Florentina Ukonga.

 

In Benin, an article in The Guardian spoke about the Dassa Zoume community in Benin Republic which is 207km, or 4 hours drive from Abeokuta, Nigeria. Dassa Zoume is  said to be an Egba settlement that existed 200 years before the Egbas’ of Abeokuta settled around Olumo Rock. There is no place named Abeokuta in Benin Republic.

 

Though Dassa Zoume shares striking peculiarities – environmental and spiritual – with Abeokuta; the names are not similar. Like Olumo Rock, Dassa Hill fills the background of Dassa-Zoume, and the great rock in between split down the middle and gently slopes down to the foot of the hill serving as a source of unity, strength, and unfailing protection for the Egba people of Dassa.

 

Searching for Abeokuta in The Gambia, Meta showed that people have made posts from the location Abeokuta, The Gambia on Facebook.

 

Further search led to Mapcarta, an open knowledge website using open data, Creative Commons information, OpenStreetMap and Wikidata to share locations freely.

 

Abeokuta was shown as a locality in Central River Division, Gambia. Abeokuta is situated nearby to the localities Sare Jide and Sare Yoro Egge.

CONCLUSION

Abeokuta is confirmed as a location in Jamaica and The Gambia but does not exist in Benin Republic.

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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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