The Nigeria Police Force has dispelled widespread rumours linking a viral video of a school-aged girl smoking what appears to be cannabis to a Nigerian school, stating that preliminary investigations indicate the footage likely originated from Zimbabwe.
The video, which has been circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, shows a young girl smoking a substance in the presence of classmates who appear to be cheering her on. The disturbing footage has sparked significant concern among parents and the general public, with many fearing the incident occurred within a Nigerian educational setting.
However, according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on June 19, 2025, early investigations reveal that the individuals in the video are speaking a mix of English and Shona — the latter being a language predominantly spoken in Zimbabwe and parts of southern Africa. Notably, no Nigerian languages or accents were detected in the audio of the clip.
Further pointing to the video’s foreign origin, the statement notes that the footage was first posted on an Instagram account, @rusape\_celebs\_tv, a platform based in Rusape, a town in Zimbabwe. The original caption accompanying the video was also written in Shona.
The police have called on members of the public to avoid hastily sharing unverified information, especially when such content involves minors or can lead to widespread misinformation and public anxiety.
“We urge the public to exercise caution when sharing unverified information, particularly when it involves sensitive content and carries the potential to negatively impact individuals, organizations, and entire communities,” the statement read.
The Force emphasized the need for responsible digital citizenship, urging Nigerians to confirm the authenticity of viral content before sharing it.