A viral video circulating on social media and claiming to show bandits gathering to launch attacks in Nigeria has been confirmed as false.
According to findings by Fact Check Africa, the footage did not originate from Nigeria but was recorded in Ethiopia and has been repeatedly shared online with misleading captions.
The video gained traction across platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, with users alleging it showed armed bandits operating within Nigeria.
However, a verification process involving reverse image searches revealed that the footage had been online since December 2025 and was previously linked to Ethiopia.
Further investigations connected the video to members of the Oromo Liberation Army, an Ethiopian rebel group. Analysts noted similarities in the clothing, appearance and setting seen in the footage, which matched other videos and reports related to the group.
The fact-check also found that the same video had been previously debunked in 2025 after it was falsely presented as evidence of bandit activities in Nigeria.
Fact Check Africa concluded that there is no evidence linking the video to Nigeria or to any recent security incident in the country.
The organisation urged the public to verify information before sharing, warning that the circulation of misleading content could fuel unnecessary panic and misinformation.
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Fact Check