A claim circulating on social media alleges that the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja was destroyed in a suicide bombing, accompanied by purported photographic evidence of the aftermath. The claim was checked by the ICIR’s Factcheck Hub.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the apex financial institution in Nigeria, established in 1958 and headquartered in Abuja. The CBN headquarters, located in the Central Business District of Abuja, is one of Nigeria’s most iconic buildings. Completed in 2002, the 18-story structure houses the administrative and operational offices of the bank, overseeing the nation’s monetary and financial systems. The building is equipped with advanced security and surveillance, befitting its critical economic role.
The Claim
On December 28, 2024, a Facebook user named Hausa News Reports posted a claim in Hausa, which translates to:
“A suicide bomber has struck the Central Bank of Nigeria in Abuja, with fears of casualties and the destruction of $100 billion. A suicide bomber completely destroyed the Central Bank of Nigeria on Christmas Day – what’s happening now.”
The post included two images allegedly showing the aftermath of the destruction, garnering significant engagement, with over 1,500 likes, 800 comments, and 200 shares.
Investigating the Claim
Image Analysis
A Google reverse image search on the shared photos did not yield any matching visuals that corroborate the claim. Instead, the results showed images of the CBN headquarters intact.
Using Forensically, an image analysis tool, the images were further scrutinized, revealing:
1. Clone Detection: Repeated patterns in the images indicated manipulation.
2. AI Watermark: Both images contained faint watermarks typically found in AI-generated visuals, confirming that the images were not authentic photographs.
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Lack of Media Coverage
A keyword search using phrases such as “CBN destroyed” and “CBN bombing” returned no credible results from local or international news outlets. Considering the prominence of the CBN and its headquarters, any such incident would have been widely reported.
Official Silence
There has been no statement from the Central Bank of Nigeria or any government agency confirming such an incident. Security agencies have also remained silent, further discrediting the claim.
Verification : FALSE
Conclusion :
The claim that the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja was destroyed is FALSE. The images shared to support the claim were confirmed to be AI-generated and manipulated.
FactCheckHub
