Fact-Check: Did Tinubu Instruct DSS to Suppress Protests in Support of Burkina Faso’s Military Junta, Ibrahim Traoré in Nigeria?
Claim: A post circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and especially X (formerly Twitter), claims that Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed a secret police unit to suppress organizers of pro-Ibrahim Traoré demonstrations in Nigeria. The claim further states that this action was taken at the behest of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The post is accompanied by an image collage showing Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso’s transitional government, alongside a separate photo of President Tinubu warmly embracing President Macron. The accompanying caption reads:
“Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed a secret police unit to clamp down on Pro Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, demonstrations organizers. Some organizers have been arrested. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was instructed by France President Emmanuel Macron
This claim has sparked mixed reactions online, with some users accusing President Tinubu of using his position as ECOWAS Chairman to interfere in the sovereignty of other West African nations.
Background:
Burkina Faso, a West African country, has experienced multiple coups in recent years. In September 2022, a military coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré ousted interim President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, making Traoré the head of the transitional government. Since assuming power, Traoré has promised to restore civilian rule but has faced both internal resistance and international pressure, especially from ECOWAS and Western powers, to organize elections and return the country to democratic governance.
Nigeria and France have historically maintained bilateral ties. Since his inauguration in May 2023, President Tinubu has made several trips to France, reportedly five as of April 2025. However, there are no credible reports or official communications indicating that during any of these visits, particularly the most recent in April, President Macron ordered President Tinubu to suppress supporters of Ibrahim Traoré or any demonstration linked to Burkina Faso.
Read Also:
Verification: To verify the authenticity of the claim, PRNigeria’s fact-check team conducted a reverse image search and analyzed the trending social media content. The image and narrative were traced to a post made by the African Hub handle on X in the early hours of Sunday, where it quickly gained traction.
PRNigeria‘ fact-check findings also uncovered media report caption “Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a Marxist activist and leader of the Talakawa Parliament, Comrade Kola Edokpayi over his involvement in organizing a rally in support of Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.” This rally was reportedly cancelled after an intelligent advice from the security agencies.
Additional probings uncovered that there was actually a planned rally by The National Coordination of the Civilian Vigil, a coalition of pro-junta civil society groups calling on civilians in Burkina Faso to come out en masse today in support of transitional president, Ibrahim Traore.
Further investigations revealed that no Nigerian or international media outlet reported any such directive either officially or as a leak expose from credible investigative platforms. Although there were pockets of reports of arrests of pro-Traoré demonstration organizers within Nigeria.
For example, media reports confirmed the arrest of an Edo-based activist who was planning a pro-Ibrahim Traoré protest.
Moreover, official websites and social media accounts of the Nigerian Government, Burkina Faso’s transitional authority, and the French Presidency contain no statements or information validating the claim.
Conclusion: Verification and cross-referencing with official sources and credible media reports, PRNigeria’s fact-check team found no evidence to support the allegation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed a secret police unit to crack down on pro-Ibrahim Traoré organizers under the directive of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Verdict: PRNigeria therefore concludes that the claim has INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
By PRNigeria
