Sultan's media team dismisses viral image of Benue governor worshipping as AI-generated fake
The Sultan of Sokoto's media team has dismissed as false a viral image circulating on social media showing Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia in a posture of worship before the Sultan, describing it as "fake, likely AI-generated, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public." Bashir Adefaka made the statement on behalf of the media team this Sunday, warning it was a "mischievous and dangerous attempt" to drag the Sultan into unrelated political controversies and inflame religious and ethnic tensions.
The image circulated widely on Facebook, WhatsApp and other platforms with claims suggesting religious bias in the handling of security challenges in Benue State. Some posts alleged that the governor's stance on the killings in the state was influenced by allegiance to northern Muslim leadership - a claim the Sultan's media office said was baseless.
The Sultan, who serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, has consistently promoted interfaith dialogue and national unity for nearly two decades. His media team expressed concern over what they described as a pattern of disinformation by identifiable actors online, warning such content risks escalating tensions in parts of the country already affected by violence.
They called on security agencies to investigate and take action against those responsible for spreading falsehoods capable of inciting division, and urged religious and community leaders to encourage responsible use of social media. The controversy comes amid heightened sensitivities in Benue State, where recurring attacks have deepened public frustration and sharpened political narratives around identity and accountability.
In an already tense security situation, will you verify images before sharing them, especially those that appear to exploit religious or ethnic divisions for political gain?