FACT-CHECK: Are Travelers in Kogi Under Attack by Armed Fulani Herdsmen?
CLAIM: A viral message circulating across social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, has raised alarm over alleged violent attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen in parts of Kogi State. The message warns travelers to avoid certain areas due to an ongoing shootout between the alleged herdsmen and local vigilantes.
The viral text posted by a Facebook page, Cross River Live, reads in part:
”BREAKING NEWS: Kogi State is extremely HOT now. To those travelling towards Kogi, please avoid the following areas: Jimgbe, Elete, Emoro, Geregu, down to Ajaokuta. Fulani herdsmen are engaging local vigilantes in a serious shootout. From Itobe down to Idah, Ayingba is safe for now. For those coming from Lagos heading to Abuja through Lokoja, avoid Obajana old Dangote road, very dangerous. Please pass this vital information to others. Stay safe.”
The message has sparked widespread fear and panic among residents and travellers, particularly along the affected routes.
VERIFICATION: To verify the authenticity of the claims, PRNigeria Fact-Check Team conducted an in-depth investigation, including keyword tracing, reverse content search, and contact with relevant stakeholders.
Our findings show that the viral message began surfacing on social media in the early hours of Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
While there have been recent concerns about pockets of insecurity in some parts of Kogi State, especially related to open border challenges, our investigation confirms that no recent coordinated attacks or violent confrontations matching the viral claims have been reported by credible security sources or media outlets.
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Although the Punch newspaper recently published an article titled “Kogi: Experts Blame Open Borders for Rising Insecurity in North Central State”, it does not corroborate the claim of widespread shootouts or travel advisories in the specific locations mentioned.
Similarly, another recent report by The Nation referenced extreme hot weather in the region, not violent attacks.
In addition, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has officially debunked the viral report, describing it as fake and designed to incite unnecessary panic.
Further analysis by PRNigeria revealed that the same message originally circulated in August 2023 and was debunked at the time by the then-Security Adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello, Commodore Jerry Omodara (rtd).
Omodara had said: “As things are in terms of security, there is no such thing happening in Kogi. It’s all falsehood and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”
Additionally, although some versions of the message attributed the information to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), our search through NAN’s online archive revealed no such report currently exists, raising further doubt about the credibility of the claims.
CONCLUSION: Following a thorough investigation, PRNigeria can confirm that the claims of a violent Fulani herdsmen attack currently happening in Kogi State are false. The message in circulation is a resurfaced version of an old 2023 false alarm that was previously debunked by government officials.
VERDICT: FALSE!
The viral claim of an ongoing violent attack by Fulani herdsmen in Kogi State is misleading and is based on a previously debunked story from 2023.
By PRNigeria
