By Pascal Ibe
Claim
Biafran agitators on the X platform distributed photos of one of their leaders, Ngọzi Orabueze, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Verdict
This claim is FALSE. Results from image detection tools showed that this photo of her meeting with Russia’s Putin was AI-generated.
Full Text
Biafra agitators on the X platform have shared a photo showing one of their leaders, Ngọzi Orabueze, meeting with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
@engrICO2015 who published this image on 20 April, wrote, “Right move in the right direction. …. well done USB.
@Autopilothomee also distributed this photo with a caption that reads, “I commend and support this movement with my full chest.
See that also posted this image here and here.
The circulation of this photo by these Biafran agitators has generated over 50k views with thousands of likes and reposts.
Background
Ngọzi Orabueze is one of the people who replaced Simon Ekpa as deputy prime minister of an autopilot faction of the IPoB after he was arrested and detained by Finnish authorities over terrorist propaganda.
Simon Ekpa declared himself the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) in 2023. This declaration followed his earlier announcement in 2022 while residing in Finland, of the activation of the BGIE.
An autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB), the BRGIE is a self-proclaimed government in exile seeking the independence of Biafra from Nigeria.
Verification
When subjected to image detection tools, results showed that the photo of Orabueze meeting with Russia’s Putin was AI-generated.
Checks on Hive Moderation indicated that the image contains 98.7% AI-generated or deepfake content
Another tool, SightEngine, confirmed that the photo is 99% AI-generated.
No reputable news organization anywhere reported the Biafran leader’s meeting with Russia’s president after a thorough search by FACTWATCH Nigeria.
Conclusion
In desperation to gain the continuous support of their gullible followers, these Biafran agitators on the X platform distribute an AI-generated image of one of their leaders, Ngọzi Orabueze, meeting with Russia’s Putin.
