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Unmasking Misinformation: Journalist’s Quest for Verified Truth (International Edition)

The Journalists as Fact Checkers workshop, organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Africa for the Womentorship Champions, recently, was an unexpected catalyst for my growth as a female human rights defender. It effortlessly merged with my duties as both a journalist and an advocate, highlighting how journalism serves as a crucial act of service against misinformation. In Zimbabwe, where confirming straightforward facts such as fatality counts from road accidents can be difficult because of restricted access to data, fact-checking goes beyond being just part of one’s job; it transforms into a nuanced but important mode of defiance. One powerful takeaway was learning about “lateral reading,” which pushed me to go deeper than just skimming content and succumbing to click temptations. This change in mindset has provided me with a persistent critical outlook, examining each headline through the meticulous gaze of an investigator. Rather than taking information at ...
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Benue Farmer Dies After False Attack Alarm Sparks Tragedy

A 54-year-old farmer from the Usha community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State allegedly collapsed and passed away after some young people in the village triggered misleading panic.

On Wednesday, our reporter discovered that Farmer Jeremiah Onuminya, who was heading to his farm on Monday, encountered an alarming situation. As he walked, some young boys yelled 'Fulani! Fulani!!!' Panicked, he attempted to flee for safety.

"Regrettably, he collapsed and passed away just a short distance from his home," reported a villager to our correspondent.

According to local residents who talked with our correspondent, the property of the person who passed away is adjacent to the farm where 20 cattle reportedly died after being poisoned last Saturday.

Melvin James, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, verified this information through a statement released by his media aide, Solomon Obochi, in Makurdi on Wednesday.

James, who claimed to have reached out to the family of the deceased to console them, said the family turned down his suggestion to conduct an autopsy.

Part of the statement reads, "The Agatu Local Government Council is profoundly saddened by the untimely death of Mr. Jeremiah Onuminya from Usha Ward, which occurred on March 31, 2025, due to a harrowing event sparked by a misleading warning regarding an anticipated assault."

Initial inquiries, supported by both security organizations and Mr. Onuminya’s relatives, suggest that he fell unconscious from fatigue during his escape, with no signs of an attack carried out by Fulani herders.

In order to determine the precise reason for the demise, the chairperson proposed performing an autopsy. Nevertheless, the family refused, acknowledging that Onuminya’s departure was due to health issues.

The council chairman urged all residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information that could incite panic and disrupt the peace, warning that dissemination of false alarms poses significant risks to the well-being of the people and undermines the progress being made in fostering unity and security.

In affirming his dedication to protecting every resident of Agatu, the local government chairman pledged cooperation with law enforcement entities to sustain watchfulness and tackle any emerging dangers.

He appealed to Agatu residents to exercise caution and verify information before sharing to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.

PUNCH Metro had reported that the chairman of Miyeitti Ala Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, Risku Mohammed, on Sunday, alleged that a farmer in Usha had a day earlier poisoned 20 cows belonging to one of his members in the LGA.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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