Taiwo Adeyemi

A screenshot of a post that police arrested a spiderman at a protest ground.

Photo source: X.com

Claim: An X user shared a picture that police arrested a  spiderman during a protest.

Verdict: Misleading! The image is from a skit that has been online since 12th July, 2024, it has nothing to do with a protest. 

Full Text

Economic  hardship being faced by many Nigerians as a result of inflation and high cost of living has been linked to subsidy removal and naira floating by President Bola Tinubu. 

Some groups have declared and embarked on  a nationwide protest #endbadgovernance from 1st August to 10th August, 2024 to call government attention to the economic reality facing citizens. 

An X user on August 2nd, 2024 shared two pictures and one of the pictures showed police officers arresting a man wearing a spiderman kits with a caption “Wahala! Police don arrest Spider Man oo  how we go take release am?  Who knows his identity?? Lawyers abeg help ooo”. 

The picture on 5th August, 2024 has been viewed by over 27,000 viewers, over 600 reposts and over 700 likes.

Many user have been reacting to the pictures, @shedgab $RICY called on the American government to react.

“@SecBlinken  why are you all quiet when it comes to Nigeria why we the youth have been taking note of those since the last election”. 

Another user @investor asked why did they allow them to take him? 

“Why did you guys allow them to take him?”

@LALA asked if the picture is real.

“I don think this is real bcos that uniform does not look like a real police uniform and besides the police are not dressed like that during protest”.

Because of sensitivity and reactions the pictures are generating, the researcher decided to verify them and amplify the truth. 

Verification

The researcher checked both pictures on Google Reverse Image Search and it was discovered that the first picture had not been on the internet before and it was reported by Television Continental, TVC on 2nd August, 2024 that a spiderman joined the protest in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. 

A screenshot of  TVC YouTube channel that reports that spiderman joins nationwide protests in Abuja.

Findings after checking the second picture on Google Reverse Image Search showed that the picture is a screenshot from a skit posted on TikTok on June 26 and YouTube on July 12. 

Screenshot of a skit where police officers arrest a spiderman

Conclusion

A viral picture showing police officers arresting a spiderman at a protest is from a skit that has been on the internet since 12th July, 2024. It has nothing to do with protest. The picture is misleading. 

The researcher produced this fact-check to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.