Police: Viral video of smoking schoolgirl not from Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a formal clarification regarding a disturbing video circulating widely on WhatsApp and various social media platforms, which depicts a school-aged girl smoking what appears to be cannabis while being cheered on by her classmates.

According to a statement released today by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, preliminary investigations indicate that the incident portrayed in the video did not occur in Nigeria, as initially feared by many concerned Nigerians. Instead, evidence strongly suggests that the video originated in Zimbabwe.

The police cited several factors in reaching this conclusion. Among them are the languages spoken in the video—English and Shona, the latter being widely used in Zimbabwe and parts of southern Africa. Importantly, no Nigerian languages or accents were detected in the footage. Additionally, the original post of the video included a caption in Shona and was first shared on the Instagram account @rusape_celebs_tv, which is linked to the town of Rusape in Zimbabwe.

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The viral spread of the video, accompanied by claims that it occurred in a Nigerian school, has sparked widespread concern among parents and communities across the country. The Nigeria Police are urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified or misleading content that can cause unnecessary panic and reputational damage.

“We urge the public to exercise caution when sharing unverified information, particularly when it involves sensitive content,” the statement read. “Responsible sharing and thorough verification of sources are essential in preventing the amplification of potentially harmful claims.”

The Police emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerian children and maintaining public trust through transparency and factual communication.