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Claim: A Facebook user claimed that NSCDC, Sokoto State, arrested a Fulani gang of cattle rustlers and bandits.
Verdict: Misleading. The arrest of the seven suspected cattle rustlers and the recovery of 54 cattle occurred in 2021, not 2026.
Full Text
On Sept. 14, 2026, a Facebook page, Hausaland Magazine, shared images (archived here) claiming that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Sokoto State, paraded seven Fulani youth suspected of cattle rustling and banditry at Fadamar Lugu in Giyawa District.
“FULANI SUSPECTED CATTLE RUSTLERS AND BANDITS ARRESTED,” the Facebook user wrote.
He further stated that officers serving in Wurno division, in collaboration with the vigilante team in the local government area, apprehended seven Fulani men and recovered 54 cattle.
“The major break, which followed a series of covert operations by officers and men of Wurno division in collaboration with the vigilante group of the Local Govt area, led to the arrest of 7 Fûlani young men and recovery of 54 cattle now kept in safe custody of the Local Government authority,” the Facebook user further wrote.
Similar posts were shared on Facebook and X.
As of Sept. 17, 2026, the post had gathered 69 likes, 40 comments and 24 reshares.
Most Facebook users who reacted to the post perceived it to be a recent development.
“Why arrest them?” Why not send them to 72 virgins and their creators faster?” Tunde Omooba commented.
“Their senators will call for their release,” Christian Eze suggested.
“Thank God for the good job, NSCDC,” Prince James Sumput commented.
DUBAWA decided to verify the claim to ascertain whether the reported arrests were recent or otherwise.
Verification
Using keyword searches, DUBAWA checked for recent reports of the alleged arrests by the NSCDC in Sokoto State, but found none.
However, searches for the names of the seven suspects listed in the Facebook post linked to reports published in 2021.
On Oct. 11, 2021, Peoples Gazette published a report, relaying how the NSCDC arrested 11 suspects in Sokoto State for banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling. The news outlet further reported that the Sokoto NSCDC commandant, Muhammad Dada, said the suspects were arrested in a joint operation with a vigilante group operating in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
New Telegraph also published a report about the arrest of 11 suspects and identified the names of the cattle rustlers as Buba Bello (Dan Delu), 20; Alti Shehu, 25; Abu Gidado, 20; Shehu Modibbo (Dan Acha), 20; Ibrahim Duna, 18; Abdullahi Hassan (Yellow), 22; and Ibrahim Modi(Majo), 20. These names match the ones the claimant shared.
Further verification linked us to the official Facebook page of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). DUBAWA found a report detailing the arrest of the same gang of suspected rustlers and bandits in Sokoto State. NSCDC shared the post on Oct. 17, 2021.
Conclusion
The claim is misleading. The incident claimed in the Facebook post occurred in 2021.
This fellowship is implemented by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) with support from the European Union.