A video circulating on social media has been falsely attributed to Nigeria, sparking widespread concern and misinformation about jihadist activity in the country. The video, which shows armed men marching on a rural road, was shared on X with claims that it depicted jihadists taking over villages in Nigeria. However, a thorough investigation has revealed that the video is actually from Ethiopia's Oromia region.
The video was first shared on X by a user named Falana Muyiwa on August 20, 2026, with a caption questioning the whereabouts of Nigeria's air force and suggesting that the men in the video were jihadists. The post quickly gained traction, with over 30,000 views, 93 comments, and 610 likes within two days. Many users shared and commented on the post, expressing their concerns and frustration with the Nigerian government's handling of security issues.
However, a closer examination of the video and its origins revealed that it had no connection to Nigeria. The video was actually from the Oromia region of Ethiopia, where a conflict has been ongoing between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Ethiopian security forces. The language, context, and visuals in the video all pointed to an Ethiopian origin, rather than Nigeria.
Despite the evidence, many users continued to share and comment on the post, often using it to express their dissatisfaction with the Nigerian government and its handling of security issues. Some users even drew connections between the video and other unrelated issues, such as the Biafra referendum and the influence of Saudi Arabia.
The spread of misinformation has raised concerns about the potential consequences of such false narratives. The incident highlights the need for fact-checking and verification, particularly in the context of sensitive security issues. The Dubawa, a fact-checking organization, has called for caution and verification in the face of such claims.
The investigation into the video's origins was conducted by the Dubawa, in collaboration with the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) and the European Union (EU). The findings of the investigation have been verified, and the video has been confirmed to be from Ethiopia, not Nigeria.
In conclusion, the video circulating on social media has been misattributed to Nigeria, and its spread has contributed to the dissemination of misinformation about jihadist activity in the country. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information, particularly in the context of sensitive security issues.
Key points
- The video in question was actually from Ethiopia's Oromia region, not Nigeria.
- The spread of misinformation has raised concerns about potential consequences and highlighted the need for fact-checking and verification.
- The investigation into the video's origins was conducted by the Dubawa, in collaboration with the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) and the European Union (EU).
