A photo shared by The Makoni Times on Facebook could go viral, claiming that Sierra Leone’s army has acquired a new set of missiles to respond to tensions with Guinea in the Yenga region. However, this image is not from Sierra Leone and the claim is false.
Using reverse image tool image sift show that the image was first used in 2020 and shows Nigerian engineers working on a rocket test at the Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion (CSTP) located in Epe, Lagos.
What the Post Claims
The blog post, shared four hours before this report was written, suggested that Sierra Leone’s army is now armed with missiles and is ready to respond to military activities by Guinea near Yenga, a border town between the two countries.
The image used in the post shows a group of men standing beside what looks like a rocket engine in an open field.
What I Found
Using reverse image search tool Image Sift,I traced the photo back to several Nigerian websites. It was first posted by CKN News, a Nigerian blog, with the title: “Nigerians Take To Social Media To Mock Nigeria’s Rocket in 2020.”
The photo shows engineers from Nigeria’s space agency carrying out propulsion testing. This happened at CSTP, which is part of Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency.
The equipment and background in the photo match other verified images from the CSTP test grounds in Lagos. There is no evidence that Sierra Leone’s military has used or shared this image. There is also no official report confirming the country has recently acquired missiles.
No Evidence of Missiles in Sierra Leone
The government of Sierra Leone has not made any announcement about new military equipment. The Ministry of Defence has not commented on any military buildup in Yenga or anywhere else.
There is no proof that the image shows any part of Sierra Leone, and no link between the people in the photo and the country’s army.
Why This Matters
False information like this can cause confusion and fear. Sharing fake military images can also increase tension between countries, especially when the issue involves borders or national security.
The photo in question was not taken in Sierra Leone and does not show Sierra Leonean soldiers or any new missile system.
Final Verdict
The claim made by The Makoni Times is false. The image shared is from Nigeria and was taken in 2020 during a space engineering test. It has nothing to do with Sierra Leone or the situation in Yenga.
Readers are advised to check facts before sharing posts on social media. Using tools like reverse image search can help you find the true source of photos and avoid spreading wrong information.