FACT-CHECK: Trending Photo Of ‘Maitama Explosion’ Taken From 2014 Bomb Blast

A Twitter user, @A_Y_Rafindadi, has shared an old photo, falsely attributing it to the scene of a bomb blast in Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday.

The Twitter user wrote: “Subhanallah: BOMB BLAST IN MAITAMA, ABUJA. There are reports of a loud explosion in the Maitama area of Abuja, occurring a week after the Ibadan explosion that claimed the lives of 5 people.

“Currently, there is no confirmed information about the situation. If you’re in Maitama, please give us an update. What’s happening?”

However, a reverse image search by THE WHISTLER reveals that the photo is from a twin car bomb blast that occurred at Emab Plaza, near Banex Plaza in Wuse II, Abuja on June 25, 2014.

The 2014 incident, popularly known as the Wuse bombing, was perpetrated by members of Boko Haram sect and left 21 people dead and 17 seriously injured. Around 40 vehicles were also destroyed in the blast.

The photo uploaded by @A_Y_Rafindadi is being falsely shared to spread panic about an alleged recent explosion in Abuja. In reality, the photo is from the 2014 terrorist attack and not a current incident.

VERDICT:

The photo shared by @A_Y_Rafindadi is OLD and UNRELATED to the alleged explosion in Maitama, Abuja.

It depicts the aftermath of the June 2014 Wuse twin car bombing by Boko Haram and is being MISLEADINGLY shared as current.