On August 31, 2024, the Nigerian Police Force found itself at the center of controversy after it was revealed that a photo used to showcase the commissioning of new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) by Bola Tinubu was actually from 2023.
The image, originally taken during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was reused by the police to falsely promote the current government’s efforts in enhancing national security.
Police Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, had shared the photo on social media, claiming that “another set of APCs is ready for commissioning by the president,” adding that the development was “commendable and awesome.”
However, this claim is untrue as a check by our reporter with the use of Google Lens, a fact-checking tool shows that it was first published in 2023 by Freedom Online, concerned citizens who recognized the photo from a previous event held in 2023, sparking outrage over what many viewed as deliberate misinformation.
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The incident has led to widespread criticism of the police and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for engaging in what has been described as propaganda.
This false representation undermines public trust in both the police force and the current administration. The reuse of the 2023 photo raises serious questions about the integrity of official communications and the lengths to which the government may go to portray its achievements, particularly in the sensitive area of national security.
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