The Nigeria Police Force has addressed public concerns over a viral video showing a school-aged girl smoking a substance believed to be cannabis while being cheered on by classmates.
In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police confirmed that preliminary investigations suggest the video did not originate in Nigeria, despite being widely circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms with captions implying a Nigerian setting.
“Initial analysis points to Zimbabwe as the likely origin of the video,” the statement noted. Key indicators include the use of Shona— a language predominantly spoken in Zimbabwe— and English, without any Nigerian language or accent detected. The video first appeared on the Instagram account @rusape_celebs_tv, which is based in Rusape, Zimbabwe.
The Nigeria Police urged the public to exercise caution in sharing unverified content, particularly when it involves minors or sensitive matters that could cause public distress or damage reputations.
“We encourage responsible information sharing and thorough verification before circulating content that may mislead or harm individuals and communities,” the statement concluded.
