A recent Reuters fact‑check has debunked social‑media claims that a fire broke out at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) headquarters in Abuja. The circulating images were found to be AI‑generated, bearing a watermark from Grok, an image‑creation assistant. The CBN had already denied the incident, calling the allegations “totally false.”
The rumors began on December 20, when posts asserted that a blaze had engulfed the bank’s head office, threatening properties and cash assets worth 12 trillion naira (about $8.26 billion). The posts featured a high‑rise building resembling the CBN’s headquarters with flames and smoke, but uncropped versions revealed the AI watermark. Reuters found no credible reports of a fire at the CBN’s Abuja headquarters on that date.
In response, the CBN used its social‑media channels to urge the public to rely only on verified, official communications and to avoid sharing unverified content that could cause unnecessary alarm.
Separately, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) confirmed a fire on the fourth floor of one of its Abuja offices on December 20. The blaze was contained by responders, and no injuries were reported. The FIRS office is located about 4.5 kilometers from the CBN headquarters.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, the FCT Fire Service, the Federal Fire Service, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force did not comment on the alleged CBN fire.
The swift denial by the CBN and Reuters’ fact‑check underscore the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media. With the rise of AI‑generated images, consumers must be cautious and rely on trusted sources to avoid the spread of misinformation.
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