'Genital theft' accusations: How social media fuel penis theft rumours wey turn deadly
A BBC investigation reveals that false accusations of 'genital theft' have led to over 80 deaths across six African countries. These incidents are fueled by long-standing superstitions and the rapid spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
Why it matters
It highlights the lethal real-world consequences of digital misinformation and the intersection of traditional beliefs with modern social media dynamics.
Wia dis foto come from, Alfred Lasteck / BBC
More dan 80 pipo bin kpai between October 2025 and July dis year following false accusations about wetin dem call "genital theft", di BBC Global Disinformation Unit don find afta dem gada data from forces across six African kontries.
Di killings dey linked to rumours say a simple tap on di shoulder fit cause a man genitals to shrink or disappear. Dis dey fuelled by widespread misinformation on social media.
"Dem shout say we tiff pesin genitals and we no get any way to escape becos na big crowd wey gada," Tanzanian mechanic Boniface Mgala tell di BBC about im ordeal for April wen im bin dey badly beaten by pipo wey bin dey convinced say im be genital tiff.
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