The federal government has alerted the public to several false online messages claiming it was giving out cash relief funds to every citizen in the country as COVID-19 palliative.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs had debunked this claim describing it as “fake news”.
On 19 June the ministry tweeted a screenshot of one of the fraudulent messages with the warning: “Beware of fraudulent messages, calls and schemes. Stay safe and don’t be a victim of scammers.”
On 29 March, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, dismissed an earlier claim that the government was giving Nigerians N30,000 to prepare for the lockdown.
On the eve of an address by the president announcing the initial lockdown of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states, Adesina tweeted: “Fake news peddlers have concocted a statement… saying FG will pay N30,000 to each Nigerian with BVN (bank verification number), to help them stock up before an impending national lockdown. Not me. The so-called statement is hereby disclaimed.”
There has been no other announcement by the Nigerian government confirming the rumour.
The federal government has provided some COVID-19 relief in food and cash. This has been distributed through existing social investment programmes such as the household uplifting programme, conditional cash transfer and modified school feeding programme.
A collaboration between Daily Trust and Africa Check to fight health misinformation.
