A recent Facebook post circulating in Kenya and other parts of Africa has been found to be false. The post, which was uploaded on September 11, 2026, features an image of several pick-up vehicles lined up on a trailer. The accompanying text claims that around 300 brand new pick-up vehicles have been delivered to Niamey, the capital city of Niger, for use by the country's military. However, a thorough investigation by PesaCheck, a fact-checking initiative, has revealed that the image is actually of vehicles intended for Ukraine, not Niger.
PesaCheck conducted a reverse image search using Bing, which led them to a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating that the Dutch Ministry of Defense had sent over 60 Toyota Hilux pick-ups to Ukraine. The same image was also found in an article that mentioned the trucks were transported by rail to Ukraine, where they would be equipped with systems necessary for various missions, including transporting personnel and equipment, as well as radar detection and drone neutralization. This information was corroborated by another source.
Further investigation by PesaCheck revealed that there was no information available online about 300 brand new pick-up vehicles being delivered to Niamey for Niger's military. However, reports from Niger's national television (RTN) and other media outlets in early September 2026 stated that the government had recovered some military equipment, including 34 Toyota pick-ups. This suggests that while Niger's military may have received some vehicles, the image in the Facebook post is not related to this event.
PesaCheck's investigation into the Facebook post is part of a continuous effort to verify facts and identify potential misinformation on social media platforms. The organization has partnered with Facebook and other social media platforms to help users distinguish between fact and fiction. PesaCheck's work involves providing the public with a deeper understanding of the content they see on their social media feeds.
The fact-checking initiative, which focuses on public finances in Africa, was co-founded by Catherine Gicheru and Justin Arenstein and is incubated by Code for Africa, a leading civic technology and data journalism accelerator on the continent. PesaCheck aims to help the public separate fact from fiction in public statements about figures that shape our world, with a particular focus on statements about public finances that impact the delivery of public services related to sustainable development goals.
PesaCheck's verification process involves testing the accuracy of media reports and public statements. The organization's work has been recognized as an essential component of the fight against misinformation in Africa. By partnering with local media outlets and civic organizations, PesaCheck is helping to promote fact-based reporting and informed decision-making.
The fact-checking report was written by Mamady Kebe and edited by Josaphat Finogbé, with approval from PesaCheck's editor-in-chief, Doreen Wainainah. The report demonstrates PesaCheck's commitment to verifying information and promoting accuracy in public discourse.
Key points
- The image in the Facebook post is actually of vehicles intended for Ukraine, not Niger's military.
- PesaCheck's investigation revealed that there was no information available online about 300 brand new pick-up vehicles being delivered to Niamey for Niger's military.
- The fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, aims to help the public separate fact from fiction in public statements about figures that shape our world.
