Fact-Check: Viral photos of dead bandits are from Borno, not Kwara
Several images circulated widely on Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter), showing dead bodies allegedly identified as bandits killed during a recent attack in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The photos were shared by multiple users, including Adamu Idris Manarakis and EgyKumpochi Skido, who claimed the bodies belonged to bandits neutralized by spiritualist and local security forces during the Lafiagi incident.
However, verification by FactCheck247 shows that this claim is false and misleading.
Background
Kwara State has recently experienced a surge in bandit attacks and kidnappings, particularly in Kwara North and South. Last week, gunmen attacked Lile village in Patigi LGA, killing residents and demanding a large ransom.
Similarly, Lafiagi and other villages in Edu LGA witnessed high-profile kidnappings, including the abduction of a prominent agrochemical dealer, Alhaji Chemical and a Point of Sale (POS) agent. No fewer than 2 vigilante officers were also killed in several waves of attacks, sparking widespread fear and led to community protests.
This atmosphere of insecurity and violent attacks has made social media rife with images and claims related to these incidents. It is within this tense context that the misleading circulation of unrelated images claiming to show bandits killed in Kwara has emerged.
The Claim
A viral image depicts dead bodies alleged to be bandits killed during an attack in Lafiagi, Kwara State.
The Findings
FactCheck247’s investigation confirms that the image did not originate from Lafiagi or any recent incident in Kwara State.
Using Google Reverse Image Search, FactCheck247 traced the photos to an earlier post by the Nigerian Army. The images were first published on July 1, 2025, on the Army’s official Facebook and X pages.
The photos were taken after a military operation conducted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area, Borno State — not Kwara. The operation involved the Nigerian military, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and Hybrid Forces (HF), resulting in the elimination of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Manawaji.
The use of this unrelated image to misrepresent events in Kwara exemplifies how misinformation can be used to incite confusion during security incidents.
The Verdict
The claim that the viral image shows bandits killed in the Lafiagi attack is FALSE.
Captions circulating with the image that reference Lafiagi, Kwara State, are misleading. Verified findings confirm that the photos are from a military operation in Borno State, not Kwara.
