Nigerian Embassy In Niger Burned Down By Angry Protesters? – Fact Emerge

Nigerian Embassy In Niger Burned Down By Angry Protesters? – Fact Emerge

A video is currently circulating on Facebook with assertions that the Nigerian embassy in the West African country of Niger has been set ablaze by enraged demonstrators.

The video’s caption reads: “Niger raised the Nigerian Embassy to ashes after burning down France’s embassy two weeks ago. Africans in the Sahel are finally destroying all forms of neocolonialism except Nigeria, Cameroon, and a few others still connected to colonial masters.”

In July 2023, Niger’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, was detained by the military during a coup d’état, indicating a sudden seizure of power.

Subsequently, the military dissolved Niger’s constitution, suspended all state institutions, sealed the country’s borders, and enforced a curfew. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the leader of a new military government.

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This coup was condemned by global leaders, including members of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), of which Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu chairs.

In response to the military takeover in Niger, Ecowas issued an ultimatum: the immediate return of power to the democratically elected government or facing the potential application of force.

However, Nigerians, including the senate, have urged caution against military intervention in Niger, which shares a border with Nigeria’s northern states, and have encouraged Tinubu and Ecowas to reconsider.

An anti-Tinubu protest occurred in Niger on August 4, urging the chair to step back.

The 45-second video on Facebook shows a crowd igniting a building. A sign on the structure reads “Bienvenue,” which means “welcome” in French. Scattered files and papers can be observed on the floor.

Multiple instances of the same video have been shared online here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here

But does it truly depict protesters setting fire to the Nigerian embassy in Niger?

According to Liti Auwalu, Nigeria’s ambassador to Niger, in a statement shared with local newspaper Punch on August 12, the claim is unsubstantiated. Auwalu confirmed that a group of protesters attempted to enter the embassy on July 30, but the situation was promptly managed by security personnel, and the embassy was adequately guarded.

“We emphasize that the videos are fraudulent and therefore the general public is urged to disregard them,” Auwalu stated.

Given the absence of credible media reports and the ambassador’s clarification, it is improbable that the Nigerian embassy in Niger was actually torched by furious demonstrators as claimed in the video.

Credit: Africa Check