The Explainer and Platinum Post fact-checkers have spotted a video circulating on social media purporting that some channels being dug in Lagos are meant for the laying of 5G cables. To give his claim credibility the man who filmed the video is heard saying, “Nigerians they have started laying 5G pipes in Lagos while people are indoors, as soon as they are done with their death switch Nigerians will start dying.”
The claim in the video, which is based on hysteria over the alleged harmful effects of 5G masts has been shared many times on facebook, and has been picked up by many blogs echoing its contents as fact. After apprehending the content online, fake news detectives conducted a comprehensive fact check, which returned the verdict that the claim constitutes misinformation. Our fact checkers checked with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), and found that the Commission has not allocated any license to any network provider for the installation of 5G.
This much was revealed in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the Commission, Dr. Henry Nkemadu. Secondly, 5G pipes do not need to be laid, what was shown on the video, our fact checkers gathered, is the laying of fibre optic cables, by the network providers. Finally, based on previous fact checks, it was established that there are no links between the installation of 5G masts and deaths as claimed in the video. Beware of misinformation; double check and verify all claims online before accepting their veracity or sharing.
