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#EndSARS: Fake news peddlers mislead Wikipedia into claiming 120 died at Lekki

Published

5 years ago

December 1, 2021

The Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia has joined the long list of global victims of the vicious propaganda surrounding the #EndSARS movement and the phantom Lekki massacre.

The internet-based encyclopaedia medium was caught quoting 120 casualty figures for the Lekki massacre that never took place and attributing such falsehood to Amnesty International (AI).

Despite recent developments like the Lagos state government White Paper on the Panel Report which confirmed unequivocally that there was no such thing as the massacre at Lekki, Wikipedia has continued to mislead the world that 120 unarmed civilians were killed on October 20, 2020, at Lekki Toll Plaza.

Despite overwhelming pieces of evidence to the contrary, the narrative of 120 massacred victims is still on the Wikipedia site, PRNigeria can authoritatively report as of December 1, 2021, on its website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Lekki_shooting.

“On the night of 20 October 2020, at about 6:50 p.m., members of the Nigerian Army opened fire on unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State, Nigeria. Amnesty International stated that at least 120 protesters were killed during the shooting,” the website is claiming

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Meanwhile, PRNigeria in its best-selling book, “101 Fake News on #EndSARS”, reports that Amnesty International in its official press statement during the period only claimed that twelve persons were killed by men of the Nigerian army and police at two different locations during the EndSARS protests in Lagos.

The official statement from Amnesty International did not claim the 12 casualties were recorded at Lekki toll gate. It merely stated that: “The Nigerian Army and Police killed at least 12 peaceful protesters yesterday at two locations in Lagos… Lekki and Alausa.”

Meanwhile, Wikipedia also provides disclaimers on some articles on its website which may contain significant factual inaccuracies, i.e. information that is verifiably wrong.

It states that: “Wikipedia is not a reliable source for citations … Because it can be edited by anyone at any time, any information it contains at a particular time could be a work in progress, or just plain wrong.

“Edits on Wikipedia that are in error may eventually be fixed. However, because Wikipedia is a volunteer-run project, it cannot constantly monitor every contribution. There are many errors that remain unnoticed for hours, days, weeks, months, or even years. Therefore, Wikipedia should not be considered a definitive source in and of itself.”

PRNigeria gathered that the contributors of the misleading information are fake news peddlers whose contents have been exposed on various platforms through fact-checking systems.

Even the account of alleged “massacre” victims given by Justice Doris Okowubi (rtd) led Lagos State Panel on Restitution for Victims of #EndSARS and other matters vary from that of Wikipedia – despite the panel’s reliance on the same platform for the definition of the term “massacre.”

On page 294 of the Panel Report, it concludes that what happened at the infamous Lekki Toll Gate incident could be likened to a “massacre” following which it gave Wikipedia’s definition that, “a massacre has been defined as the killing of multiple individuals, which is considered to be morally unacceptable especially when perpetrated by political actors against defenceless victims.”

However, while the panel attempted to rely on Wikipedia’s definition to contextualise the term massacre, its claims that at least nine persons were killed by security agents when they allegedly stormed the Lekki toll gate on October 20, 2020.

Controversy has continued to surround the leaked unauthorised version of the report with so many inconsistencies and irreconcilable errors in the submission.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has rejected the report of the #EndSARS Panel that there was a massacre in Lekki Toll Gate during the 2020 #EndSARS protest.

To the government, the panel failed to establish arbitrary and indiscriminate killing of protesters at the toll gate.

According to the 36-page White Paper released on November 30, 2021, the panel’s findings “are clearly and manifestly not supported by the evidence before the JPI as attested to by the JPI itself, when it said there was no contrary evidence to that of Prof. Obafunwa that only one person died at Lekki Toll Gate of gunshot wounds on 21st October 2020”.

Rejecting the recommendation, it said: “The state government is, therefore, unable to accept the finding that nine (9) people died of gunshot wounds at LTG on 20th October 2020.”

Recall that PRNigeria has reported that testimony by Dr. Babajide Lawson, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Reddington Hospital, Lagos on the Lekki Incident as quoted in the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry report has been found to be altered in a re-presentation by the panel.

It also reported how the panel provided contradicting submissions on forensic testimony by the Lagos State Chief Pathologist, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, in its report.

PRNigeria also revealed that video footage from the alleged Lekki Toll Gate incident along with witness submissions from Sentinel Forensics Ltd, a Forensic expert engaged by the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry did not prove allegations in support of alleged killings in the report.

Similarly, a United Kingdom-based medical forensics and ballistic expert Dieye Tonye Willie-Harry has berated both local and international media organizations for being unable to provide evidence to back up claims of massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate incidence.

Willie-Harry who is the Director of Oxygene Consulting UK Limited while testifying at the Justice Doris Okowubi (rtd) led Lagos State Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and Other Matters had on page 268 of the Panel report confirmed that contrary to widespread media coverage, all forensic investigations of media contents undertaken by his company did not prove direct shooting of unarmed civilians by the Nigerian Army.

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“Son of a Nobody”: VeryDarkMan Fires Back at Falana, Defends NBA Conference Invite

Published

38 minutes ago

August 28, 2026

Trends Admin

Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana

“Son of a Nobody”: VeryDarkMan Fires Back at Falana, Defends NBA Conference Invite

Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) , has launched a blistering counter-attack against human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, over criticism of his invitation to speak at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference. VDM accused Falana and other critics of “classism,” arguing that his background as the “son of a nobody” is the real reason his participation at the elite legal gathering drew backlash.

The controversy erupted after Falana, in an interview with Channels Television, questioned the NBA‘s decision to invite VDM as a panelist for a session on insecurity at its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. Falana stated that past NBA conferences were not “circus shows” and that discussions on national security should feature individuals with demonstrable professional experience in the country’s security architecture. “Why would you just go and bring somebody from nowhere to come and entertain you? There are problems with that,” Falana remarked, arguing that the conference should return to its intellectual tradition.

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In a video posted on Friday, VDM expressed deep disappointment with Falana’s comments but stated they revealed the true reason behind the opposition to his invitation. “The problem these people have is that the son of a nobody was invited to come and speak where elites are seated,” VDM said. He described the criticism as a clear manifestation of “classism” from a section of the legal elite who are uncomfortable with his social status.

Countering Falana’s argument on expertise, VDM insisted that his firsthand experiences with insecurity in Nigeria are a valid qualification. “This is not about book. It’s about experience,” he said. “I have seen things that a lot of security experts have not seen.” The activist further maintained that security is a universal concern and should not be treated as an exclusive topic for professionals. He stated that his presence at the conference was to give a voice to ordinary Nigerians who are often voiceless in such elite conversations. “I spoke on behalf of the poor masses. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” VDM said.

VDM had appeared as a panelist at the NBA conference on Tuesday in a session titled “Known Gunmen or Unknown Gunmen.” During the session, he alleged that some police officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass information to kidnappers, facilitating abductions. The Nigeria Police Force has since invited VDM to substantiate his claims with evidence. VDM concluded by admitting he hadn’t anticipated Falana’s stance, saying, “I wasn’t expecting this angle from Femi Falana SAN, but well, it is what it is.”

“Son of a Nobody”: VeryDarkMan Fires Back at Falana, Defends NBA Conference Invite

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EFCC extradites two Nigerians to US over alleged sextortion linked to teen deaths

Published

43 minutes ago

August 28, 2026

Trends Admin

Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle

EFCC extradites two Nigerians to US over alleged sextortion linked to teen deaths

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerian men to the United States to face prosecution over alleged online sextortion and child sexual exploitation linked to the deaths of two American teenagers.

The suspects, identified as Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle, were extradited on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, following separate investigations conducted in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The EFCC disclosed this in a statement on Friday, explaining that the two men were identified during separate FBI investigations into alleged sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.

According to the commission, the alleged schemes involved obtaining or using Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to threaten and extort victims for money. The alleged perpetrators reportedly demanded payments through money remittance services, gift cards and cryptocurrency.

The FBI linked the investigations involving the two Nigerian suspects to separate cases in which American teenagers died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.

One of the cases involved a 13-year-old boy who reportedly received a direct message on Instagram from an individual seeking an exchange of nude photographs.

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After the photographs were allegedly obtained, the individual reportedly threatened to send them to the teenager’s Instagram contacts unless money was paid.

The EFCC said communications between the individual and the minor continued even after the teenager indicated that he intended to take his own life.

Following intelligence provided by the FBI, the EFCC said it conducted investigations that led to the identification and arrest of Adekunle.

In a separate case involving Olawale, US authorities sought his extradition over a seven-count charge relating to the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, attempted sexual exploitation, enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications, and the alleged distribution and attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The EFCC subsequently commenced extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos, under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, before Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa.

The Federal High Court initially rejected the extradition application on June 10, 2024. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently appealed the decision.

The case was eventually determined by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, which on July 7, 2026, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court’s decision and cleared the way for Olawale’s extradition to the United States.

Following the appellate court’s decision, the EFCC completed the extradition process, leading to the transfer of Olawale and Adekunle to US authorities on August 26.

The commission said the development demonstrates the continued cooperation between the EFCC and FBI in investigating and prosecuting transnational financial and cyber-enabled crimes, particularly cases involving the exploitation of minors.

The case also highlights concerns over the growing use of social media and digital platforms in online sextortion, where offenders allegedly obtain intimate images or other sensitive material and then threaten victims with exposure in an attempt to obtain money or force further compliance.

The suspects are expected to face prosecution in the United States over the allegations. The extradition and charges do not constitute a conviction, and the allegations against both men remain subject to determination by the US courts.

EFCC extradites two Nigerians to US over alleged sextortion linked to teen deaths

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Bauchi Police Arrest Stepfather for Alleged Defilement of 8-Month-Old Baby

Published

12 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Trends Admin

Bauchi Police Arrest Stepfather for Alleged Defilement of 8-Month-Old Baby

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Balarabe Adamu over the alleged sexual abuse of his eight-month-old stepdaughter in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reportedly reported on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 5:34 pm. According to a statement issued late Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, Adamu, who resides in Lame, Toro LGA, allegedly defiled the infant after the child was brought to his residence by his wife. The baby was subsequently taken to the General Hospital, Toro, for medical examination and treatment, the police said.

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Following the report, operatives of the Gumau Police Division visited the scene and arrested the suspect. The police said Adamu remains in custody while investigation into the alleged offence continues. The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged abuse and assured that the command would ensure justice for the victim. Aliyu directed that the case be thoroughly investigated and that the suspect be charged to court upon completion of the investigation in accordance with the law.

The mother of the baby has reportedly appealed to authorities to ensure justice is served, expressing shock and distress over the incident. The command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on sexual violence and child abuse, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the police. The police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.