The Nigerian Police Force has officially clarified that a viral video circulating on social media platforms showing schoolgirls smoking cannabis is not from Nigeria, but rather originated from Zimbabwe.
The footage shows a schoolgirl, dressed in full school uniform, allegedly smoking what appears to be dagga (marijuana) during a birthday celebration while surrounded by other students. The video has been spreading rapidly across WhatsApp and other social media platforms, causing significant anxiety among Nigerian parents and communities who initially believed the incident occurred in a Nigerian school.
Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi clarified on Thursday, emphasising the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media. According to Adejobi, a preliminary investigation conducted by the Nigerian Police Force revealed compelling evidence that the video originated from Zimbabwe, not Nigeria.
The key evidence supporting this conclusion includes the linguistic analysis of the video’s audio content. Individuals featured in the video are heard speaking in both English and Shona, with Shona being a language predominantly spoken in Zimbabwe and parts of southern Africa. Critically, investigators found no Nigerian languages or discernible Nigerian accents present in the audio recording.
Furthermore, the investigation traced the video’s digital footprint to its original source. The video was initially uploaded with a caption written in Shona language on the Instagram channel @rusape_celebs_tv, which is demonstrably based in the town of Rusape, Zimbabwe. This finding provided crucial evidence supporting the video’s Zimbabwean origin.
The misidentification of the video’s origin highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation spread through social media platforms. ACP Adejobi strongly cautioned the public against the hasty dissemination of unverified information, particularly when it involves sensitive content that could negatively impact individuals, organisations, and entire communities.
“We urge the public to exercise caution when sharing unverified information, particularly when it involves sensitive content and carries the potential to impact individuals, organisations, and entire communities negatively,” Adejobi stated. “The Force strongly encourages responsible sharing of information and thorough verification of sources before amplifying potentially harmful claims.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of digital literacy and the responsibility that comes with sharing content on social media platforms. The Nigeria Police Force’s swift response and investigation demonstrate their commitment to combating misinformation and protecting public interests.
The clarification comes at a time when viral videos and misinformation continue to pose significant challenges to law enforcement agencies across Africa, requiring increased vigilance and fact-checking measures to maintain public trust and prevent unnecessary panic among communities.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
