HomeUncategorized
Uncategorized
Misleading

Image of Zamfara farmers killed in July falsely linked to recent Sokoto attack

Nurudeen Akewushola
Nurudeen Akewushola
Reading Time: 2 min.
Screenshot of the viral post

Share

See the sources for this fact-check

A VIRAL image showing the bodies of people wrapped in blood-stained clothes has been shared on social media with a claim that it depicts victims of a recent bandit attack in Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria.

An X user, @musa_kiliya, posted the image on 17 August 2026, with the caption:

“This happened in Kebbe Local Government, Sokoto State. More than 30 people were killed by bandits, some are yet to be identified. 💔😭”

As of 18 August 2026, the post had generated over 200 reposts and more than 300 likes.

CLAIM

Image shows victims of a bandit attack in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

The image surfaced online in August 2026, shortly after a deadly bandit attack in Ungushi community, Kebbe Local Government Area, Sokoto State. Reports said the attack claimed several lives, including that of Imam Aliyu, the chief imam of a Jumu’at mosque.

However, a reverse image search conducted by The FactCheckHub shows the image has been online since 23 July 2026, and it depicts an incident that happened in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, in July 2026.

The earliest version of the image was posted on X on 23 July by conflict reporter, Idris Muhammed, also known as Idris 4 Peace. He stated that the image showed victims of a bandit attack in Sauna/Ruwan Gora community in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to the post, 23 farmers were killed in the attack, while more than 50 people were hospitalised, most of them women and children.

The incident was also reported by Verity News, which used the image as its featured image. Citing local sources, the platform reported that the victims were attacked while farming, adding that most of those injured were women and children who were taken to hospital for treatment. Daily Trust also reported the July attack in Zamfara State, with reports putting the death toll at least 23 farmers.

The FactCheckHub found that the image was not connected to the more recent attack in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The Sokoto attack therefore occurred nearly one month after the Zamfara incident in which the viral image was first circulated.

VERDICT

The claim that the viral image shows victims of the recent bandit attack in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State is MISLEADING. The attack in Sokoto was reported and confirmed by multiple media organisations, but the image being used to depict its victims is from a separate bandit attack in Zamfara State in July 2026.

+ posts

Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here


Most Read

Recent Checks

Kura LG chairman did not commission viral pedestrian stairway on Kano-Zaria highway

Video of Sudan war falsely presented as footage from Nigeria

Governor Adeleke did not ask Davido to delete his tweets about Tinubu or call the APC...

From Osun to 2027: How misinformation could deepen ethnic tensions

Video filmed in India falsely presented as Accord Party rally in Osun