Claim: A Facebook user, D English Alhaji, shared a video, claiming that four bandits were killed and set ablaze in Aboki Community, Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Verdict: Misleading! Our investigation found that the incident occurred in Aboki Community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, not Kebbi State. Also, all reports didn’t indicate that the bandits were set ablaze as claimed.
Full Text
A Facebook user, D English Alhaji, shared a video (archive here) claiming that four bandits were killed and set ablaze in Aboki Community, Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The video’s caption reads, “Yesterday, 21st of July, 2026, at exactly 10:15 pm, terrorists, popularly known as bandits, attacked Aboki Community, Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State. They attempted to kidnap a businessman in the community, Alhaji Tukur. However, the information was leaked to local vigilantes. They exchanged gunfire for about one hour. In the process, two bandits were arrested alive, while four were killed and set ablaze.”
As of July 23, 2026, the Facebook post had garnered about 39,000 likes, 4,000 comments, and 1,000 reshares, generating mixed reactions. While many users believed the claim, others pointed out that Aboki Community is located in Kwara State, not Kebbi State.
A Facebook user, Njoku Ugochukwu, commented, “Congratulations to the intelligent vigilante men of Aboki.”
Another user, Ayuba Sunday, wrote, “Congratulations to the gallant men. The English Alhaji go bring anything hiding.”
However, some users disputed the location stated in the video.
A Facebook user, Emmanuel Nworie, commented, “But sir, Aboki is under Kaiama LGA, Kwara State, Nigeria.”
Likewise, Mohammed Sani Salihu noted that “Aboki community is under Kaima Local Government Area of Kwara State.”
Given the conflicting comments about the location in question and the growing security concerns in Northwestern Nigeria, DUBAWA decided to verify the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a Google keyword search to determine whether credible news organisations reported that bandits were killed and set ablaze in Aboki Community, Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi.
Our findings showed that the Aboki Community is located in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where the incident occurred.
Nigerian Tribune, LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS, Daily Post Nigeria, TVC NEWS, and Western Post reported the incident. All reports indicated that on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, five armed bandits invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately at about 10.15 pm. The attack claimed the life of a resident identified as Musa.
During the attack, a businessman in the community, Alhaji Tukur, who was initially kidnapped, was rescued by a joint team of military personnel and local vigilantes. Due to this swift intervention, the security forces were able to neutralise four of the bandits, while one of them escaped with gunshot wounds.
All the media reports consistently stated that the incident occurred in Aboki Community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara, not Kebbi State as claimed in the Facebook post.
To further verify the claim, DUBAWA searched for official press statements from the relevant authorities. Our search led to a press statement by the Kwara State Government confirming that the incident occurred in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
DUBAWA also checked the Kwara State Police Command’s official handle and found it had not been updated since July 17, 2026. Further searches led us to a PUNCH news report noting that the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident.
DUBAWA decided to verify the claim that the bandits were set ablaze. Our investigation found that all credible media reports about the incident clearly stated that they were killed, but none reported that they were set ablaze as claimed.
DUBAWA also subjected the video to Google reverse image search to verify if there are reports to corroborate the claim that they were set ablaze. However, after searching, DUBAWA found no results related to the incident.
Throughout our investigation, DUBAWA found no credible news report, official government statement or police communication indicating that the incident occurred in Kebbi State or that the neutralised bandits were set ablaze.
Likewise, neither the Kebbi State Government nor the Kebbi State Police Command issued any statement regarding a similar incident.
Conclusion
The claim that four bandits were killed and set ablaze in Aboki Community, Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State is misleading.
DUBAWA’s investigation established that a similar incident occurred in Aboki Community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, not Kebbi State, and the bandits were not set ablaze as claimed.
This fellowship is implemented by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) with support from the European Union.