The Nigeria Police Force has debunked claims linking a viral video of a schoolgirl smoking a substance suspected to be cannabis to a Nigerian school, stating that preliminary investigations point to the incident originating in Zimbabwe.
The video, widely circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, shows a school-aged girl puffing on what appears to be cannabis, while being cheered on by a group of uniformed peers. The footage has sparked outrage and concern among Nigerian parents, educators, and community stakeholders.
However, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, multiple indicators suggest the incident did not occur in Nigeria.
“Our findings reveal no presence of Nigerian languages or recognizable Nigerian accents in the video,” Adejobi stated. “Rather, the individuals in the footage can be heard speaking a mix of English and Shona – a language primarily spoken in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa.”
Further analysis traced the original upload to an Instagram account, @rusape_celebs_tv, a social media channel reportedly based in Rusape, a town in Zimbabwe. The initial caption accompanying the post was also written in Shona, reinforcing the likelihood of the video’s Zimbabwean origin.
The Police urged the public to avoid spreading unverified or misleading content, especially material with potential to incite public fear or tarnish the image of institutions and nations.
“We strongly advise Nigerians to verify the authenticity of content before sharing. Misinformation, particularly involving minors and sensitive subjects, can cause undue panic and damage reputations,” the statement concluded.
The Force reiterated its commitment to combating harmful content online and safeguarding the country’s image against false narratives.