A viral photograph claiming to show former President Goodluck Jonathan visiting Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at a correctional facility in Sokoto has been debunked as false. A thorough review by Legit.ng found no credible media reports, official statements, or corroborating evidence to support the claim, and two AI-detection tools flagged the image as likely AI-generated.
Viral Facebook Post and Mixed Reactions
The photograph was shared on Facebook on September 7, 2026, by a user named Ngozika Loveth Eze. The caption read in part: "Breaking news: Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan visits Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This is his word of encouragement to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu…" By September 19, 2026, the post had accumulated more than 3,700 reactions, 892 comments, and 749 shares.
The image sparked intense debate among users. Some accepted it as genuine, while others dismissed it as AI-generated. Ben Moris commented, "This picture is not AI. MNK, may you live long and be strong. Biafra freedom is a must." Johnson Anyanwu similarly wrote, "Doubting Thomas everywhere, Everything na AI for una okpolo eyes." However, Goodluck Onyinyechi Anyamele rejected the claim outright, saying "Fake news everywhere," while Chukwuemeka Onyia praised the alleged visit as "quite commendable."
No Evidence of a Prison Visit
Legit.ng conducted a search of credible media platforms and found no report confirming that Jonathan had visited Kanu in prison. The only related development was a meeting in October 2025, when activist Omoyele Sowore said he met Jonathan in Abuja to discuss Kanu's continued detention, and that Jonathan agreed to raise the matter with President Bola Tinubu. That account made no mention of a prison visit.
Separately, reports confirmed that Abia State Governor Alex Otti visited Kanu at the Sokoto correctional facility in late 2025, following the life sentence. However, no similar visit by Jonathan to the facility was reported by government authorities, Jonathan's representatives, Kanu's legal team, or any reputable media organisation.
AI-Detection Tools Cast Doubt on Photo
Legit.ng submitted the photograph to two AI-image detection tools. Hive rated the image as 100 per cent likely to be AI-generated. A second tool, ZHUQUE, returned an AI probability score of 31.31 per cent. These results further undermined the authenticity of the image.
Kanu remains in custody in Sokoto following his conviction and life sentence on terrorism charges in November 2025. His lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, has raised concerns about prison conditions, including limits on visits and Kanu's health.
Verdict: Claim is False
The claim that former President Jonathan visited IPOB's Kanu in prison is false. Neither the viral photograph nor the accompanying caption provides credible evidence that such a visit took place. The public interest in Kanu's detention and legal situation continues to generate speculation, but this particular story lacks factual backing.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, called on President Tinubu and the federal government to release Kanu, arguing that the IPOB leader has stayed in detention for too long.
