Viral claim linking Onitsha trader to Trump-Era missile strike draws skepticism
A viral claim alleging that a screwdriver trader in Onitsha influenced a missile strike ordered by former United States President Donald Trump in Nigeria has sparked widespread debate online, though security experts and officials have dismissed the story as misleading and unfounded.
The claim, which circulated widely on social media platforms, suggests that the trader’s activities somehow triggered intelligence reports that allegedly led to a US military strike. However, no official records or credible evidence support the assertion.
Security analysts have described the narrative as a fabrication, noting that US military actions, particularly missile strikes, are based on high-level intelligence assessments involving multiple agencies, not the activities of individual traders.
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“No such operation ever occurred in Nigeria under Trump, and certainly not one linked to a market trader in Onitsha,” a regional security expert said, describing the claim as “pure misinformation.”
Both Nigerian and US authorities have no record of any missile strike carried out by the United States on Nigerian soil, and defence sources insist that Nigeria has never been a target of direct US military attacks.
Observers say the story reflects the growing spread of sensational but false narratives online, often amplified without verification.
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Media analysts have urged the public to rely on credible news sources and official statements, warning that misinformation of this nature can fuel fear, confusion, and diplomatic misunderstandings.
As of the time of filing this report, no individual or agency has substantiated the viral claim.
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