Claim: A Facebook page claimed terrorists attacked a community in Sokoto, killing more than 100 civilians, 10 Nigerian soldiers and a Mobile Police officer, while abducting others.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA found no credible record of the alleged mass killing. The location could not be identified, and both military and police authorities confirmed that no such incident occurred in Sokoto State.
Full Text
On Oct. 5, 2026, a Facebook page, Hausaland Magazine, claimed that armed men had attacked a community called Garin Gobir Gindin in Sokoto State, killing more than 100 civilians, 10 soldiers and a Mobile Police officer.
The post (archived here) included an image showing several people lying motionless on the ground. Some of the people appear to be wearing military-style clothing, while others were in civilian clothing.
The post described the alleged incident as a “genocide” and a “war on Hausa,” while attributing the attack to “Fulani terrorists.”
Part of the caption reads, “Despite a so-called peace agreement with Fulani bandits, terrorists stormed Garin Gobir Gindin today and unleashed hell. Ten Nigerian soldiers killed. One MOPOL officer killed. Others kidnapped. Over 100 Hausa civilians butchered, their bodies littering the streets. The death toll rises by the hour. Where is the peace? Where is the government? Where is the justice?”
The post attracted comments from users who appeared to accept and amplify the claim.
Jay Mafulul wrote, “Let the Hausa people in Plateau Jos see this. They always support the Fulani killing Berom, Bokkos and Mangu. Now they will know who the real evil is.”
Another user, Onuigwe Emmanuel, wrote, “Keep on demanding an answer. Until the Fulani kill all the Hausa people.”
“Today is Tuesday 6th, not 5th actually, how true is this?” Mathew K Zogo queried.
DUBAWA investigated the claim given it is security-related and can stir panic and confusion.
Verification
DUBAWA searched geographical databases and community gazettes in Sokoto State. We found no community known as “Garin Gobir Gindin” in the state.
Furthermore, the post claimed the attack occurred on Tuesday, Oct 5, 2026, whereas Oct 5, 2026, was a Monday.
DUBAWA ran the accompanying image through a Google reverse-image search to trace its origin and see whether it had previously appeared online in connection with another incident.
The search returned no source or credible match that could establish the image’s origin or link it to the alleged attack in Sokoto.
DUBAWA contacted the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, who dismissed the claim.
“There was no such attack involving the reported mass casualties in the state.”
Similarly, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmed Rufa’i, the Public Relations Officer for the Sokoto State Police Command, refuted the assertion, saying, “This incident did not occur within Sokoto”.
A review of verified security reports across the North-West found no mass-casualty incident matching the post’s description. The only documented incident in the state around that period occurred on Sunday, Oct 4, 2026, in Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area, where bandits killed two people and injured another. The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the attack.
The Ungushi incident does not correspond to the casualty figures, location, or circumstances alleged by Hausaland Magazine.
Conclusion
The claim by Hausaland Magazine that more than 100 civilians, 10 Nigerian soldiers and a Mobile Police officer were killed in an attack at “Garin Gobir Gindin” in Sokoto State is false.
This fellowship is implemented by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) with support from the European Union.