Fact-Check: Are ‘Fulani Bandits’ Dancing With Severed Human Hand, Foot in a Viral Video?
A disturbing video has gone viral on various social media platforms, accompanied by claims that “Fulani terrorists” are dancing with a severed human hand and foot without remorse.
The post, which includes incendiary text, urges people to rise up against the alleged “monsters”, the Fulani herders—and not allow them into their communities.
“This is Fulani terrorists dancing with human palm and foot without remorse. You see why everyone must rise up and fight these monsters called Fulani herdsmen.
“A word is enough for the wise.
See the blind country we dey. Don’t allow them into your land o.”
In the video, several young men are seen wielding rifles, some slung across their necks. One individual is shown holding what appears to be a severed human foot and hand, dancing in what seems to be a celebratory gesture, possibly after a violent conflict.
Verification: To verify the authenticity of the video and the accompanying claim, PRNigeria conducted a comprehensive investigation.
Analysts examined the spoken language, background music, and other contextual details within the footage. It was discovered that neither the language spoken nor the music played in the video is Hausa or Fulani, languages commonly used in northern Nigeria and in propaganda videos by known bandit leaders such as Bello Turji, Sububu Kachalla, Dan Karemi, Boderi Isyaku, Dogo Gudali, Alhaji Dan Auta, and Kachalla Ruga.
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Further analysis involved breaking the video into key frames and performing reverse image searches using Yandex, a widely trusted image verification tool. The search confirmed that the individuals in the footage are members of the Sahel People’s Alliance, a grassroots group based in Burkina Faso.
In the video, these militants are seen dancing and celebrating, with one of them holding severed hand and foot believed to be from defeated Islamic extremists. This incident is reflective of the ongoing violence in the Sahel region, which continues to suffer from escalating insurgent activities and extremist attacks.
To corroborate the findings, PRNigeria also conducted keyword-based searches. The results aligned with the reverse image search, confirming that the video was filmed in Burkina Faso, not Nigeria, and that the individuals featured are not Fulani herders.
Further investigation revealed that such acts, dismembering the bodies of fallen enemies, are not uncommon in conflict zones within Burkina Faso. The Burkinabe military has previously condemned videos circulating on social media in which individuals claiming to be soldiers or vigilantes were seen mutilating and burning the corpses of their adversaries.
This video culture has raised concerns among international observers, as the region’s military forces, including those of Mali and Burkina Faso, have struggled for over a decade to contain a jihadist insurgency that began in Mali and has since spread across the Sahel.
Conclusion: Findings by PRNigeria revealed that the viral video originated from Burkina Faso. The men seen dancing with what appears to be human body parts are militants from that country, celebrating the defeat of their enemies.
Verdict: PRNigeria concludes that the claim suggesting Fulani bandits are seen dancing with severed human parts is FALSE
By PRNigeria
