A photo posted on Facebook on 11 September 2019 appears to show Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), addressing the European Union parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
Biafra is a disputed region in southeast Nigeria. Ipob is an organisation calling for its independence.
The caption says Kanu had “stormed the EU parliament” with “cogent documents” and “CCT videos” that showed the Nigerian army had killed, tortured and illegally detained Ipob members, and looted “the Palace of King Isreal Kanu”.
Some Facebook users called the photo a fake. It has indeed been doctored.
A Google reverse image search reveals the original photo has been circulating online for at least 11 years.
It was used in a 14 January 2008 report by the EU Observer.
In the original, the man standing at the podium in the EU parliament is not Kanu. The photo has been manipulated by inserting Kanu’s image.
Multiple photos and videos do show that the Ipob leader visited Brussels on 10 September 2019, where he reportedly made a presentation to some members of the European parliament.
Kanu tweeted about the event five days before, on 5 September: “I’m glad to accept the invitation of a few MEPs to address the burning issue of IPOB agitation and what a NEW BIAFRA means for Africa. I look forward to leading IPOB in Europe to the historic encounter.”
He also included details of where the meeting would take place.
After the visit, he thanked a British member of the European parliament, Sebastian Dance, and others for making the visit memorable.
In February 2019, Kanu and his team met with another British MEP, Julie Wards. In 2016 she called on the Nigerian government to release Kanu from detention and end violence against Ipob members.
Photos and videos of the visit in September 2019 show that Kanu wore a black skull cap, black suit and a lilac tie. But in the doctored photo, his tie appears black. – Allwell Okpi
Biafra is a disputed region in southeast Nigeria. Ipob is an organisation calling for its independence.
The caption says Kanu had “stormed the EU parliament” with “cogent documents” and “CCT videos” that showed the Nigerian army had killed, tortured and illegally detained Ipob members, and looted “the Palace of King Isreal Kanu”.
Some Facebook users called the photo a fake. It has indeed been doctored.
EU parliament photo from January 2008
A Google reverse image search reveals the original photo has been circulating online for at least 11 years.
It was used in a 14 January 2008 report by the EU Observer.
In the original, the man standing at the podium in the EU parliament is not Kanu. The photo has been manipulated by inserting Kanu’s image.
But Kanu did visit EU parliament
Multiple photos and videos do show that the Ipob leader visited Brussels on 10 September 2019, where he reportedly made a presentation to some members of the European parliament.
Kanu tweeted about the event five days before, on 5 September: “I’m glad to accept the invitation of a few MEPs to address the burning issue of IPOB agitation and what a NEW BIAFRA means for Africa. I look forward to leading IPOB in Europe to the historic encounter.”
He also included details of where the meeting would take place.
After the visit, he thanked a British member of the European parliament, Sebastian Dance, and others for making the visit memorable.
In February 2019, Kanu and his team met with another British MEP, Julie Wards. In 2016 she called on the Nigerian government to release Kanu from detention and end violence against Ipob members.
Photos and videos of the visit in September 2019 show that Kanu wore a black skull cap, black suit and a lilac tie. But in the doctored photo, his tie appears black. – Allwell Okpi
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