Presidency Clears Air on Viral Photos, Reveals True Origin as Mali Incident

A recent social media trend has been circulating images that claim to show abducted school students from Oyo State, but according to a statement from the Presidency, these images are not only false but also originate from a completely different incident in Mali. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, stepped forward to clarify the situation through a public statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. Onanuga explained that the viral photos, which depict young children with severe scarring on their bodies, were actually taken in Mali back in June 2020. This incident occurred after a local teacher in Mali brutally flogged his students, resulting in the severe injuries seen in the photos. The Special Adviser emphasized that the individuals behind the spread of these graphic images are likely sympathizers of terrorist groups, aiming to create public panic and tarnish the reputation of the current administration and its security forces. By revealing the true origin of the photos, the Presidency seeks to counteract the misinformation and reassure the public about the ongoing efforts to address security concerns.