From the day the first case of the coronavirus was announced in Nigeria, there have been many who are of the opinion that it has all been a lie – the first case, the daily reported figures, the report on the isolation centers, and even the report on the recovered cases.

If you’d agree, social media has become a very powerful tool in this age and time with its many benefits to its users, social media has now become a tool for many people to air their views on many matters that concerns them directly or indirectly. On Twitter, it is not uncommon for Nigerians to express their displeasure on government activities they perceive as incomprehensive or false.

The trend #StopCovidLies is one among many trends that have called out the federal government and the NCDC on what has been perceived as a foul play on the case of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

@NCDCgov stop sending me SMS, stop all these nonsense. Show us the isolation centers. The ones we've seen recently are all jokes. What is all this? #StopCovidLies pic.twitter.com/mpVXoJn1gT

— PSHEGS (@pshegs) May 26, 2020

Following the release of a video that showed an isolation center in Kano, many Nigerians, as earlier, have detected a foul play on the figures as released by the NCDC. The video showed footage of the isolation centre as of April 8, occupied with patients and care-givers only to reveal the supposed isolation centre deserted.

With that video, many have aired their views, pointing out that the government is lying about the cases and figures in Nigeria. Hence, the trend on #StopCovidLies.

Please @segalink @NCDCgov @ProfOsinbajo @MBuhari what is really going on? Businesses are dying, hospitals are now Covid business centers, people are hungry but too many scam in this Covid thing. What is going on?#StopCovidLies

— PSHEGS (@pshegs) May 26, 2020

Nigeria why!!!!! Why trade your citizens; innocent lives just to keep a lie that brings in money? Truly we know there is Covid, but if it isn't ravaging the country, why is NCDC bringing out all those figure every night?#StopCovidLies pic.twitter.com/u9tj8bTh1p

— PSHEGS (@pshegs) May 26, 2020

Abandoned Isolation center in kano, about 2 days ago.
Did everyone get well?
If yes, Hallelujah! ???
If not, where are the #NCDC getting their figures from? ??
Abi na just estimates? Of #covid19 cases? Like really?
Or is this all a prank? Or half-baked lies?#StopCovidLies pic.twitter.com/AVH78MtSkQ

— Realist (@red_naija) May 26, 2020

There were sudden deaths in Kano, pple feared it was Covid 19. They even said they did VERBAL AUTOPSY?. Kano state Govt asked for N15billion. NCDC started testing, cases started rising, suddenly Isolation camp is empty! Patients went home for Salah celebration ?#StopCovidLies

— Crusader (@Crusade70350721) May 26, 2020

Fake figures rising up and down … and they think they’re making the money. KARMA IS COMING and it will so crush you if you don’t repent now…#StopCovidLies #StopCovidLies #StopCovidLies pic.twitter.com/X0W6Cl8dxx

— swiss wisper (echoes) (@EchoesSwiss) May 26, 2020

To say I am pained by the deaths of a lot of people who died not from Covid-19 but from the lies and fear propagated by the news media and NCDC is an understatement. I hereby call on @NCDCgov to stop the lies and refrain from further Covid-19 propaganda. #StopCovidLies

— QueenE (@Estawealth) May 26, 2020

With many calling out the NCDC, some have pointed out that the COVID-19 cases in Nigeria are all a propaganda the government is using to extort citizens. Some drew the attention of others to the earlier reported cases of people dying in Kano as they shared details that make them believe that they are being lied to.

In an earlier trend where the NCDC and the federal government were also dragged over the figures and their lack of transparency, the duo did not respond to Nigerians but have always and persistently stressed the need for social distancing.

The evil that men do lives after them. How can any right thinking person enforce laws that destroy lives. Non covid casee are denied medical attention! If you shut your ears to the cries of the afflicted, your cries will be unanswered by God.#StopCovidLies

— Hephzibah Christly #theSpiritualWarrior (@Hefzibuh) May 26, 2020

Its time to #StopCovidLies . There are cases no doubt, but what is prevalent in Nigeria is Audio Cases!!! It has become a game…

— TheVoice (@D_VOICEE) May 26, 2020

Open up the hospitals to normal business!
Open up the schools!
Open up the places of worship!
Open up the economy!

If we didn't stop the economy for Malaria+Typhoid and HIV then let people who contract Covid be treated normally. This lie needs to stop. #StopCovidLies

— PSHEGS (@pshegs) May 26, 2020

Nigerians are complaining about businesses being halted, schools being shut down and religious and social gatherings being restricted and they are not saying that there isn’t any coronavirus strand in Nigeria, but about the figures being released by the NCDC.

As it appears, this trend comes with a lot of emotions for many Nigerians who joined this trend, however, many also pointed out that people should, in their best ability, maintain and observe social distancing as best as they can.