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Video of security drill falsely shared as Asaba Airport attack

Nurudeen Akewushola
Nurudeen Akewushola
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Screenshot of the viral post

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A Facebook user, Yemi Akintunde, has claimed that gunmen attacked Asaba International Airport in Delta State, southern Nigeria, and attempted to kill people.

The video shows armed security personnel moving through an airport lobby, while some people lie face down and others watch. Shouting can also be heard in the background.

He posted the claim with a caption :

“Gunmen reportedly invade Asaba airport, army, Police engage them in fierce battle.”

The post has generated more than 50 shares and 100 likes as of 26 September 2026.

CLAIM

Gunmen attacked Asaba International Airport in Delta State.

Screenshot of the viral post

FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

The video does not show an actual attack on Asaba International Airport. It shows a planned crisis-response simulation conducted by security agencies.

The Airport Police Command dismissed reports of a terrorist attack at the airport in a statement issued on 14 September 2026.

According to the command, the security operation seen in the video was part of a simulation organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to assess the preparedness and response capabilities of security and emergency-response agencies operating at the airport.

The exercise was part of the 2026 Rapid Response 3 (RR3) Crisis Response Exercise, which took place in Asaba from 7 to 11 September.

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation reported that the exercise was the first time the national multi-agency crisis simulation was conducted outside the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the ministry, the exercise involved security and emergency-response organisations and was designed to test Nigeria’s preparedness and capacity to respond to complex emergencies and security-related incidents.

The exercise included two simulated crisis scenarios, with the first conducted at Asaba International Airport and the second along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

The Radio Nigeria report on the exercise also reported that participants were directed to treat all incidents as simulated and respond according to established operational procedures.

The Airport Police Command subsequently clarified that there was “no terrorist attack or security breach” at the airport and described the operation as a controlled and authorised activity.

The video circulating online therefore captures security personnel participating in a planned simulation of an airport security incident, rather than responding to an actual attack by gunmen.

There is no credible evidence that gunmen attacked Asaba International Airport or attempted to kill people during the incident shown in the video.

VERDICT

The claim that gunmen attacked Asaba International Airport is FALSE. The video shows a planned security simulation conducted as part of the 2026 Rapid Response 3 crisis-response exercise, not an actual attack. The Airport Police Command and the Federal Ministry of Information confirmed that the operation was a controlled exercise designed to test the response of security and emergency agencies.

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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.

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