Claim
A viral claim posted by Sahara Reporter’s that the Naval Commander who ordered the arrest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area of Osun State, Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, over alleged possession of a gun has been redeployed, while the politician has been released following what Sahara Reporters described as “sources” and “orders from above.”
It was claimed that the APC stalwart was apprehended by Nigerian Navy personnel in his hometown, Ifewara, Osun State, on Thursday while allegedly in possession of a firearm.
Why We Checked
The claim posted on the Facebook page of Sahara Reporters had become viral with the post garnering 8k likes,3.4k comments and 2.1k shares. On the X platform, the post has garnered 1,681 reposts ,241 quotes, 2,132 likes.
It is an issue that undermines the security of electorates in the state and also puts the security operative in bad light, a situation that could trigger voter apathy.
Verification
Half Fake searched for the report on other mainstream media using Google reverse image search and found that the Imole Campaign Council had condemned the release of the APC stalwart as reported on a mainstream media platform, but there was no publication or public notice from the Nigeria Navy or the police regarding such an arrest and release.
Verdict
Misleading
The claim by Sahara Reporters is unsubstantiated and misleading.
Half Fake had earlier fact-checked the claim that Nigerian Naval officers arrested the House of Assembly member Babatunde Festus Komolafe from Atakunmosa East /West Local Government Area of Osun State.
After a thorough check, the claim was found to be unproven due to lack of substantial evidence and publication of such a claim on mainstream media platforms.
After a thorough search through Google reverse image search, it was discovered that online blogs like naijanews, Starnews which are not verifiable platforms, published the claim; however,a statement was published on a mainstream platform Vanguard Newspaper, that the Imole campaign council commended the neutrality of the Nigerian Navy but condemned the release of the politician.
Vanguard Newspaper was the only mainstream newspaper that published the press release by the Imole campaign council which had relied on viral social media claims to push their narrative.
According to a statement issued by the campaign council spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council said its attention had been drawn to “the arrest and subsequent controversial release of an All Progressives Congress member, Babatunde Festus Komolafe, who is also the APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area”
Conclusion
After a thorough search and check by Half Fake, no credible mainstream media platforms published the arrest or release of the All Progressives Congress member, Babatunde Festus Komolafe, who is also the APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area of Osun State.
Half Fake strongly advise the public and stakeholders to desist from inflammatory remarks during and after the August 15 governorship election in Osun State
