A video circulating on WhatsApp purportedly shows the Nigerian embassy in Niger Republic being set ablaze by a crowd of protesters.
This is coming on the heels of the recent political situation in Niger, following the July 26 coup, which led to the suspension of the Nigerien constitution and removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
The Authorities of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, chaired by the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, have since resolved to deploy all means, including the use of force, to ensure the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
Claim: Nigerian embassy in Niger Republic was set ablaze by protesters
Verification
We assessed the viral video to confirm the veracity of the claim and here is what we found.
We observed that the video shows the moment supporters of the Niger’s coup attacked the French embassy in Niamey, the country’s capital, on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
Multiple international media outlets, including The Guardian, Al-Jazeera, and AP News, reported the development, as can be seen here, here, here.
We further found that the Nigerian ambassador to Niger has debunked the claim in a statement made available to the media on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
The statement, signed by Liti Auwalu, stressed that the protesters’ attempts to invade the Nigerian embassy were unsuccessful due to the intervention of the Nigerien military and police on the scene.
The statement read, “It has been brought to our notice that fake videos showing the torching of the Chancery Building in Niamey by protesters is circulating on various social media platforms.
“The Embassy wishes to inform the general public that even though protesters tried to gain access to the Embassy on July 30, 2023, the Nigerien Military and Police Authorities promptly curtailed the situation.
“At the moment, the Embassy is well guarded by the Nigerien Military and other Security Authorities.
“We reiterate that the videos are fake and as such the general public is enjoined to disregard such videos.”
Verdict: False
The claim that the Nigerian embassy in Niger was set ablaze by protesters is false. The CDD War Room confirms that the viral video shows the moment protesters attacked the French embassy in Niamey.
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