The Kebbi state government has debunked a viral AI-generated video alleging the construction of a secret airport in Argungu forest for cocaine trafficking from Colombia.
Charly Boy, ace musician, posted the animated video on his Instagram account on Monday.
However, in a press conference on Thursday, Rabiu Sokoto, Kebbi commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said investigations found that the allegations were baseless.
“There is nothing like that happening in this state. We have gone wherever we’re supposed to go, we have done our investigations, and there is nothing like that,” Sokoto said.
Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, state commissioner for information and culture, said the video was fabricated by elements from the opposition to discredit the government and destabilise the state.
“This is very very irresponsible, very very criminal, and it means that some people regardless, as I said earlier on, of the consequences it will bring on the state have no care what happens to the state as long as their mission is fulfilled,” the commissioner said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the only existing Airport in Kebbi state is the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi. Argungu does not have, and has never had, any airport, airstrip, or related facility,” the state government said in a separate statement.
“Furthermore, all the names and characters mentioned in the video are fictitious, and there are no official records or investigations by the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or any other security agency to support such baseless claims.”
“The Kebbi state government is deeply concerned about the deliberate spread of such falsehoods intended to mislead the public and generate unnecessary fear.”
The state urged the public to disregard the clip.
