Claim: A Facebook user shared a video allegedly showing terrorists threatening Nigerians, saying that the only thing that can save them is Shari’a law, not the government.
Verdict: Misleading! DUBAWA’s analysis found that the video was manipulated using AI. The original video is Boko Haram footage circulated in November 2025.
Full Text
A Facebook user, datboy comedy, posted a video on July 29, 2026, allegedly showing terrorists threatening Nigerians and promoting Shari’a law as the only solution to the country’s problems.
In the video (archived here), the terrorists said, “If you think that the government can save you this time around, then you are just joking. The only thing that is going to save you in this country is Shari’a law. Allah has given us this land as a gift and a promised land.”
As of Aug. 11, 2026, the video had generated more than 256,000 views, 2,600 reactions, 1,200 comments and 1,700 shares.
The claim also generated heated public reaction, with several Facebook users accepting the video as genuine.
One user, Alabi Kayode Collins, commented, “The only saviour that we know is Jesus and not sharia. We praise the only saviour Jesus Christ.”
Similarly, Alabi Bamidele Grace questioned the relevance of Shari’a law, writing, “What is Shari’a law, for God’s sake? You did not talk about the fear of God but Sharia law. Those of you practising Sharia, what example do we see in your lives to emulate? The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Take note.”
However, some users questioned the video’s authenticity.
Simon Amadu dismissed the video as AI-generated: “This seems to be AI.”
Because this footage could spread misinformation amid security concerns in Nigeria, DUBAWA investigated it.
Verification
DUBAWA first observed that the footage lacked continuous, natural motion and appeared to consist of several short clips combined, with abrupt transitions and inconsistencies in the movement and appearance of people.
So we subjected the video to forensic analysis, AI detection, and reverse image searches to determine whether the footage was authentic.
We analysed the video using Hive AI, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) content-detection tool, and found that the speech in the video was 88.1% likely to have been generated by AI.
The background music accompanying the video was also assessed by Hive AI and rated 98.9% likely to be AI-generated.
Another analysis using ISFAKEAI indicated that 87% of the video was AI-generated.
The AI analysis was further supported by inconsistencies observed in the video. To track down the video’s source, DUBAWA performed a reverse Google Images search using key frames from the video.
The investigation showed that the footage had been online since November 2025, predating the current viral claim by several months. The footage appeared in a Facebook post shared by a page named Politics Religion and Crime.
A subsequent search for related keywords revealed that several media outlets previously covered the video. Platforms like Zagazola, NHTV, and Affinity TV had shared the clip, reporting it shows Boko Haram members executing women who were allegedly carrying charms and accused of idolatry in Gwoza LGA, Borno State.
Conclusion
The video showing terrorists threatening Nigerians and promoting Shari’a law is AI-manipulated. The claim, therefore, is Misleading.
This fellowship is implemented by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) with support from the European Union.