A wave of deliberate misinformation is sweeping across social media, with a misleading video being falsely portrayed as evidence of religious violence in Northern Nigeria. The truth, however, is far from what these manipulators claim. The footage actually originates from Pama, Burkina Faso, where the terrorist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched a deadly attack on Burkinabe security forces between January 29 and 30, 2025.
The video, which shows child soldiers—boys as young as 9 to 13—brandishing automatic weapons, is a chilling reminder of the brutal tactics used by JNIM. However, rather than reporting the facts, some malicious actors and religious platforms have twisted the footage, falsely labeling it as an attack against Christian communities in Nigeria.
This dangerous lie coincides with a broader, well-orchestrated campaign aimed at smearing Nigeria’s reputation. Recently, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of tolerating religiously motivated violence by non-state actors. By misrepresenting foreign conflicts as domestic persecution, these propaganda efforts seek to destabilize Nigeria and push a false international narrative.
Nigeria is already battling a complex web of security threats—from insurgencies in the Northeast to banditry in the Northwest and communal clashes in the Middle Belt. The last thing the country needs is an escalation of religious tensions fueled by misinformation. A fabricated crisis based on lies could incite violence, justify retaliatory attacks, and even provoke unnecessary foreign intervention.
It is critical for both Nigerians and the international community to verify information before spreading it. The deliberate dissemination of fake news has real and deadly consequences. Those behind this deception must be exposed and held accountable.
Security agencies must act swiftly to track and dismantle these disinformation networks before they inflict further harm. Nigeria cannot afford to be a victim of reckless propaganda. The public must reject these falsehoods and demand truth over manipulation.
@ZagazOlaMakama
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