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Old report on female kidnapper’s arrest resurfaces online

Fatimah Quadri
Fatimah Quadri
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Screenshot of the claim; Insert MISLEADING Verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Insert MISLEADING Verdict

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A claim that a lady has been arrested for picking up a ransom meant for kidnappers has surfaced online.

The claim was posted by an X user, @Abu_Jawaadd, with a photo showing a woman identified as Janet Igohia holding several bundles of cash, claiming she was a kidnapper arrested in Taraba State while attempting to collect ransom.

The post had a caption alongside that read: 

A female Christian kidnapper was arrested while trying to pick up ransom in Taraba State. Her name is Janet Igohia.

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As of the time of filing this report, the post has garnered one million views, 3,280 likes, and 1,400 reposts.

CLAIM

Image shows a female Christian kidnapper arrested.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!

Screenshot of the claim; Insert MISLEADING Verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Insert MISLEADING Verdict

A Google Reverse Image Search was conducted on the photo, which revealed multiple reports and posts linking the incident to 2024.

A Vanguard report published on February 8, 2024, stated that the woman was arrested by troops of the 93 Battalion, 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Jalingo, Taraba State, while attempting to collect ransom.

The report identified her as Janet Igohia and noted that she was apprehended after receiving ₦1.5 million.

Similarly, a report by TVC News described Janet, 31, as the wife of Voryor Gata, a notorious criminal and former second-in-command to the late Gana Terwase. Voryor was said to have led a violent extremist group operating in southern Taraba.

This was also corroborated by other media organisations such as Premium Times and The Punch.

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However, none of the reports made any reference to Janet Igohia’s religion or religious affiliation.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the image shows a female Christian kidnapper being arrested is misleading;  the arrest was made over a year ago, and her religious affiliation was not mentioned in the reports.

Fact-checker at The FactheckHub | fquadri@icirnigeria.org |  + posts

Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org.

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