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: http://bit.ly/3fnDIob


@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: http://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:
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.
http://bit.ly/31ASO46

The tweets cast doubt on the events of the Lekki shooting, criticised prominent witnesses, and targeted the media and NGOs that called for accountability.
http://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.
Some of the accounts in this network were created recently — even in quick succession — and helped amplify hashtags targeting the #EndSARS

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.
http://bit.ly/3fnDIob
The combined effort aims to create an impression of support for this pro-government content.
http://bit.ly/3fnDIob