Presidency condemns bogus Trump statement criticizing Tinubu regarding Maiduguri blasts

The Presidency has vehemently denounced a social media post that falsely claimed to be from former U.S. President Donald Trump, criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly shirking his responsibilities amidst the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Tuesday.

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This post, which gained significant traction online, alleged that Nigeria was experiencing "massive, coordinated suicide bombings" while President Tinubu was engaged in a state visit to the United Kingdom, implying that he was prioritizing diplomatic affairs over the security and well-being of his citizens.

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In response to the post, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, repudiated the claims as entirely fabricated, stating "Enemies of Nigeria are always at work, always ready to fabricate anything" in a statement released on his X platform.

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The Presidency's statement came in the wake of reports of the Maiduguri bombings, which resulted in the loss of at least 23 lives and injured several others, prompting a need for clarification and reassurance from the government.

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Onanuga's statement underscored that the post attributed to Trump did not reflect the actual situation and was intended to deceive the Nigerian public, urging citizens to remain calm and rely on verified sources for information.

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The government, according to Onanuga, remains committed to addressing security challenges and protecting its citizens, emphasizing the need for the public to be cautious of misinformation.

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A fabricated post, purportedly from Trump, read: "The situation in Nigeria is a TOTAL DISASTER. Massive, coordinated suicide bombings tonight in Maiduguri," highlighting the severity of the alleged attacks.

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The post further claimed that "A hospital, a major market, the post office—all hit! Many innocent people killed," and criticized President Tinubu's absence from the country during this time, stating "While his country is in a state of NATIONAL EMERGENCY, President Tinubu is currently in the UK on a “State Visit.”

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The post concluded by expressing disbelief at the situation, saying "Unbelievable! Shaking hands and having fancy dinners while his people are being blown up?" in an attempt to further criticize President Tinubu's actions.