The Nigeria Police Force has addressed public concerns over a viral video showing school-aged girls smoking what appears to be cannabis. The video, widely circulated on WhatsApp and social media, sparked anxiety among Nigerian parents after claims suggested the incident took place in a Nigerian school. However, the Force clarified that the footage did not originate from Nigeria.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, preliminary investigations revealed the video was most likely recorded in Zimbabwe. This conclusion was drawn based on the language used in the video, where the individuals were heard speaking both English and Shona—a language widely spoken in Zimbabwe and parts of Southern Africa. Notably, no Nigerian languages or accents were detected in the footage.
Further evidence supporting the Zimbabwean origin includes the initial posting of the video on the Instagram account @rusape_celebs_tv, which is based in the Zimbabwean town of Rusape. The original caption accompanying the video was also written in Shona, strengthening the case that it did not involve Nigerian students.
The Police urged the public to be cautious and responsible when sharing content online, especially when it involves sensitive material that can affect communities or national sentiment. ACP Adejobi stressed the importance of verifying sources before disseminating information, emphasizing that unverified claims can cause undue panic and damage to reputations.
