Ahoro-Esinle’s repeat attack, bandit pastor’s arrest, others top claims verified last week

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Lademi Aborisade

As misinformation continues to swirl across social media platforms, old, recycled videos and photos falsely attributed to others topped the list of claims we verified last week.

Here’s a breakdown of the top claims we debunked.

1. Gunmen invade Ahoro-Esinle, a community near Ogbomoso in Oyo State, for the second time

Several users on X posted a video claiming that another invasion was happening in Ahoro-Esinle. The video showed a group of heavily armed men on motorcycles who parked on the road as if stopping to rest.

The post also claimed 25 Nigerian army personnel, alongside “many people,” were killed in this alleged attack. 

DUBAWA checked and saw that since the kidnapping event on May 15, 2026, Ahoro-Esinle has not experienced any other incursions by gunmen. The video used originated from a terrorist attack in Mali that occurred in April 2026.

2. “Bandit pastor” arrested in Oyo

Recently, an X user shared photos of alleged criminals arrested by the police. In the image, the suspects’ recovered arms were displayed, with the men sitting on the floor.

The X user who shared this image alleged that one of the suspects is a “bandit pastor” and that the incident took place in Oyo State.

Due to the claim’s virality and sensitivity, DUBAWA investigated it. We found no such arrest, and the image used to support the claim was taken from another incident that occurred seven years ago in Imo State.

3. Bandit arrested in military uniform in Osogbo

A Facebook page, 9News Nigeria, shared a video claiming a Fulani bandit was arrested in a fake military uniform. 

DUBAWA checked and found that although the video shows a genuine arrest in Osogbo, the Osun State Police Command told DUBAWA the suspect suffers from a mental disorder and is not a bandit as claimed.

4. TikTok bandit, Sule Yellow, recently arrested

Several news platforms, including Oyo News, PM News Nigeria, Daily Post Nigeria, and Nairaland, reported in June 2026 that notorious TikTok bandit, Sule Yellow, had been arrested by the Nigerian Army.

DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that while security operatives genuinely arrested Sule Yellow, available evidence shows that the arrest had already been reported in March 2026 by credible media outlets, including TheCable and TVC News.

5. Bandits arrested with troops in a pally

Obiasogu David (@afrisagacity) shared a video on X showing fully armed men and bandits.

The military personnel could be seen talking and entering their vehicles and armoured tanks, while the bandits could be seen on bikes and some on foot in a friendly atmosphere with the police and the military.

We checked and found that the video is real, but the claim attached to it is misleading. The footage was recorded in 2025 during a security operation involving suspected bandits who reportedly surrendered their weapons as part of a peace process.