FACT CHECK: Flag Hoisted At NEMA Headquarters Does Not Belong To The Taliban

 

 

Claim: Sunni Islamic Flag Hoisted At Nema Headquarters

Several social media accounts and platforms recently published the claim that the flag of the Islamic sect, the Taliban is now being hoisted in official buildings in Nigeria’s seat of power, Abuja.

News Posted On:

https://www.nairaland.com/6705955/sunni-islamic-flag-nema-headquarters

Exclusive Africa’s checks however reveals that the claim that the flag is that of Taliban is false. To set the record straight, the particular picture currently trending online was taken from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headquarters in Abuja.

In a report released by the agency, the strange flag being shared online is that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that that is the only copy of the flag in its office. The agency explained that the event was a bilateral event to unveil its newly upgraded call centre which was possible with funding from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre of Saudi Arabia.

According to the agency, the picture was taken by mischief makers on Friday 13th August 2021 at the commissioning of its newly upgraded emergency call centre.

The statement reads: “The attention of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been drawn to a picture with various captions that is circulating in a section of the social media alleging that a strange flag has been hoisted at the headquarters of the Agency in Abuja.

“The allegation is false as the Agency has not hoisted any strange flag. The Nigerian national flag and that of NEMA are the only flags in the offices of the agency.

“It is unfortunate that the picture in circulation was taken by suspected mischief makers on Friday 13th August 2021, at the commissioning of NEMA’s newly upgraded emergency call centre.”

He further disclosed that the centre was upgraded with support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre which also provided food aid to individuals affected by the insurgency in the North East.

“Flags are very important national symbols. Therefore, it was normal to have flags of Nigeria and that of Saudi Arabia placed behind representatives of the two nations at a bilateral function such as the commissioning of the upgraded call centre that was funded by an agency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the benefits of Nigerians.

“It should be noted that present at the function were representatives of the Embassy of the Saudi Arabia and a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre. Afterwards, the Saudi Flag was immediately removed.

“This clarification has become imperative to correct the false alarm raised by purveyors of fake news with mischievous intention to misinform the public and create wrong impression about the agency.

“The general public is therefore advised to disregard the false alarm and failed campaign of calumny,” the statement said.