BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim
A viral video on social media shows the President-elect of the United State, Donald Trump urging the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Verdict
False. The video is deepfake (AI-altered) and does not depict an authentic statement from Donald Trump.
Full Text
A video recently circulated on social media platforms claims to show Donald Trump calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In the video, a voice resembling Trump’s is heard making statements purportedly in support of Kanu, while an image of Trump delivering a speech is displayed.
“I am calling on the Nigerian government to immediately release Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained under circumstances that raise questions about fairness and human rights and basic justice,” Trump allegedly said.
The video messaged furthered that “Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has lingered for too long and it’s time for the Nigerian government to respect the principles of freedom and the rule of law. Now, let me be clear, if Mr Kanu is not being released before November 31 2024, my administration will begin the process of withdrawing medical, financial and humanitarian aid, that we provide to Nigeria.”
“The United States stands for justice and we expect our allies to uphold the same values. In addition, if Nigeria does not take this step, I will meet with other world leaders to discuss further actions, including sanctions against Nigeria”
FactCheckAfrica found that the said video was traced to have been shared on November 16 on TikTok. The video has sparked debates among social media users, with some praising Trump for his supposed intervention and others questioning its authenticity. The video has been widely shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, where it garnered thousands of views and comments.
The video comes amid ongoing legal and political controversies surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained by Nigerian authorities. Supporters of IPOB have long sought international backing for his release, and the video appeared to serve as an endorsement from a significant global figure.
FactCheckAfrica decided to verify the authenticity of the video, given its potential to influence public opinion and fuel misinformation.
Verification
An analysis of the video was conducted using reverse image and audio search tools. FactCheckAfrica found that the video does not feature any new or verifiable footage of Trump speaking on the matter. Instead, the visuals were clipped from a previous event in which Trump spoke on unrelated issues. The audio, while mimicking Trump’s voice, was found to be generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Inquiries were made to media experts and AI researchers, who confirmed that the voice in the video matches the characteristics of AI-generated content. Specific markers such as eyes and voice mismatch, unsynchronised lip movements, tonal inconsistencies, and the absence of original context corroborate this finding.
FactCheckAfrica reviewed Trump’s verified social media accounts and public statements. There is no evidence of him making any such remarks about Nnamdi Kanu or addressing the Nigerian government on this issue. Additionally, no reputable U.S. or Nigerian media outlets have reported on any statement from Trump regarding Nnamdi Kanu.
Also, the mention of “November 31st” as ultimatum n the video gives further credence to its falsify. November has only 30 days.
Conclusion
The video claiming that Donald Trump urged the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu is AI-generated and does not represent an authentic statement or action by the U.S. President-elect. This incident highlights the growing risks of AI misuse in creating convincing but false narratives.
