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Claim: An X user shared an image of a Christian kidnapper arrested in Taraba state while attempting to collect ransom.
Verdict: Misleading. Although credible news outlets reported that the Nigerian army arrested Janet, the kidnapper referenced by the X user, her arrest was made in February 2024. Moreover, none of the news outlets mentioned her religious orientation or the religious group with which she is affiliated.
Full Text
In the last couple of weeks, there have been wide-ranging debates around the occurrence of Christian genocide in Nigeria. While some organisations are advocating for a structured response by the Nigerian government, social media users are exploiting the issue to foster religious intolerance.
On Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, an X user, @Abu_Jawaadd, shared an image of a woman, Janet Igohia, in possession of several bundles of money, and claimed she is a kidnapper arrested in Taraba while collecting ransom.
The image was accompanied by a caption that reads, “A female Christïan kidnapper was arrested while trying to pick a ransom in Taraba state. Her name is Janet Igohia.”
As of Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, the post had accrued over 970,000 views, 3,280 likes, 1,130 reposts, 270 quotes, and 180 bookmarks.
We found similar posts on Facebook here, here, here, here, and here.
While reading the comments, DUBAWA noticed that while many questioned the post’s accuracy, a few others expressed religious sentiments towards the arrest.
Supporting the claimant, another X user, @Ado_ aliu10 wrote, If she were a Muslim named Amina instead of a Christian called Janet, this would be all over the news…”
Another user, @Ekezie, opposed the post by commenting, “Desperate tactics like this will not cover the truth that there’s an ongoing genocide on Christians.”
In addition, @EngrICO2015 stated, “Your propaganda will not sell. How is she a Christian kidnapper? Show evidence.”
The divergent opinions the post attracted and its virality prompted DUBAWA to verify the post.
Verification
DUBAWA subjected the image to a Google Reverse Image search, which led us to various reports and posts tracing the incident to 2024.
According to a Vanguard report published on Feb. 8, 2024, the woman was apprehended by troops of 93 Battalion, 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Jalingo, Taraba State, while trying to pick ransom for a kidnapped victim in Taraba.
The report also mentioned the woman’s name as Janet Igohia and stated that she was arrested after picking up N1.5 million.
In a Television Continental News (TVC) report, it was reported that Janet, 31, is presently married to Voryor Gata, a notorious criminal and former second-in-command to the late Gana Terwase. Her husband, Voryor, was the leader of a violent extremist group in Southern Taraba.
However, none of the reports mention her religious faith or the religious group she is affiliated with.
Meanwhile, Premium Times and Punch reported the same incident in February 2024.
Conclusion
The incident was reported in 2024, not recently as portrayed. Meanwhile, reports do not identify her religious identity but tag her as a suspected kidnapper.
