Thread by @Code4Africa

Revealed: Twitter networks targeting #EndSARS protests in 🇳🇬

@jean_leroux uncovers accounts that amplify pro-govt content, and appear to be staging a suppression campaign against anti-police brutality protests.

An investigation by CfA partner @DFRLab:

bit.ly/3fnDIob

As part of this campaign, the accounts circulated meme-like graphics in a loosely coordinated manner.

Over the span of a few minutes to several hours, they would post and amplify images that used the same fonts, colours and graphical elements:

These accounts also shared content aimed at undermining the #EndSARS movement.

The tweets cast doubt on the events of the Lekki shooting, criticised prominent witnesses, and targeted the media and NGOs that called for accountability.

bit.ly/31ASO46

The investigation also reveals a sockpuppet network with accounts that retweeted and quote-tweeted each other frequently.

Some of the accounts in this network were created recently — even in quick succession — and helped amplify hashtags targeting the #EndSARS movement.

There was also a network of highly active influencer and digital marketer accounts amplifying the hashtags and graphics related to the broader campaign.

The combined effort aims to create an impression of support for this pro-government content.

bit.ly/3fnDIob