Fact-check: Is Trending Video of Attack on NSCDC Operatives by Biafra Motherland Warriors Genuine? 

Fact-check: Is Trending Video of Attack on NSCDC Operatives by Biafra Motherland Warriors Genuine? 

Claim: A video currently trending online shows moments when an armed group who tagged themselves “Biafra Motherland Warriors” attacked Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials and allegedly set their vehicle ablaze at an Umuleri checkpoint in Anambra state. National dailies have been reporting the incident as a “new armed group” emerging. 

Verdict: The incident occurred in may 2021 and was reported by some national dailies including the cable, tribune, punch, daily trust, sunnewsonline and other media platforms. The incident was not in August 2021 as claimed on social media. Even though the video of the incident just on August 30, 2021, all the narrative of events fits the description in the video, especially location, nature of assault and casualty. While the attack took place in May 2021, it is misleading to attribute to recent August 2021

Full Text: The trending video online shows moments when the armed group who tagged themselves “Biafra Motherland Warriors” exchanged gunfire with the NSCDC officials as some of the fled while others caught the bullet, at the tail end a redacted portion shows the NSCDC official patrol vehicle on standby being set ablaze.

All through the incidence the most dominant voice in the operation kept saying “this is biafra motherland warriors, this is biafra motherland warriors…this is happening live in Umuleri, Anambra state…video me video me”

Some media have reported that a new militant group, ‘Biafran Motherland Warrior’, has emerged in the South East.

They reported that the group, which is said to be deadlier than the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), reportedly operates around ‘Mbaise’ area.

Verification: A simple online check by PRNigeria shows that the incidence actually occurred three months ago precisely on Friday 21st may, 2021 and was widely reported on Saturday may  22nd 2021 by major news platforms including the cable, tribune, punch, daily trust, sunnewsonline , the nation among others.

According to the report, two officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed following an attack by gunmen at a security outpost in Umueri, Anambra east LGA of Anambra state.

Guns of the security operatives were also carted away while their operational vehicle was set ablaze by the gunmen during the attack.

Okadigbo Edwin, NSCDC spokesperson in Anambra, confirmed the incident in a statement issued he issued on May 22, 2021.

“Yesterday being 21st May 2021, at about 1635hrs, some yet-to-be identified hoodlums attacked Civil Defence outpost in Nneyi, Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state, shooting indiscriminately,” he said.

“The officers on duty engaged them in a gun duel. At the end of the melee, two officers of the corps that sustained gunshot injury from the incident lost their lives.

“Regrettably, their rifles were carted away after which the official vehicle was set ablaze.”

Edwin said David Bille, the state commandant, was collaborating with sister security agencies to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, reacting to the viral video claim, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State, on Monday, denied claims there was an attack on its personnel in August 2021. 

This was made known in a statement issued by the corps spokesman, Okadigbo Edwin.

Edwin stated that NSCDC officials and vehicles have not been involved in any of such incidents recently.

“We wish to state that there is no iota of truth in the video in circulation. All NSCDC  facilities in Anambra State are safe and calm. In addition, all operational vehicles in the State deployed for an assignment are without any untoward incident today,” part of his statement reads.

Conclusions: Even though the video of the incident just emerged on August 30, 2021, the narrative of the attack in May 2021 fits the description in the recent video, especially location, nature of assault and casualty. The recent viral video therefore is genuine on the attack in May 2021 against NSCDC Operatives.

By PRNigeria