A Facebook page, IgbereTV News, has posted a photo showing houses engulfed by fire with a claim that it shows a recent Boko Haram attack on Buratai, the hometown of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
The post, published on June 5, 2025, featured a fiery explosion and was captioned:
“BREAKING! Boko Haram Attacks Hometown Of Nigeria’s Ex-Army Chief Tukur Buratai (Happening Now).”
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The post has since garnered over 600 reposts and more than 100 shares as of June 6, 2025.
CLAIM
Photo shows a recent Boko Haram attack on Buratai’s hometown in Borno State.
THE FINDINGS
Checks by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is MISLEADING.
The FactCheckHub found out that the photo is circulating following the reported attempted attack on Buratai and Mallam Fatori on June 5, 2025. However, multiple media reports confirm that troops of Operation Hadin Kai foiled the assault. According to Punch, the Nigerian military repelled the terrorists, neutralised several fighters, and recovered weapons.
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A Google reverse image search shows that the photo is not related to any recent attack on Buratai town. Our fact-checker observed that the image was first shared online in March 2023, noting that it was from a military operation conducted by Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to counter-insurgency news platform, Zagazola Makama and AIT News, the image was taken after a successful operation in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, where 41 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a commander named Abu Zahra, were killed.
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The troops reportedly carried out a midnight offensive in Mukdolo, GUPDILO, and Bone villages between Dikwa, Ngala, and Mafa LGAs. The operation was led by Major General Shaibu Waidi, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, the media reports noted.
Additionally, our fact-checker observed that Tukur Buratai is from Buratai, a town in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, while the military operation occurred in Dikwa LGA.
The original photo has no connection to Buratai town or any incident occurring in June 2025.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the photo shows a recent Boko Haram attack on Buratai’s hometown is MISLEADING. The photo was taken in March 2023 during a military operation in Dikwa LGA of Borno State.
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.
