A video circulating on X, formerly Twitter, has garnered significant attention, with claims that it depicts “bandits” — a name used to describe non-jihadi terrorists in Nigeria — chasing police in Kaduna State of North West Nigeria.
“This country is finished. Look at bandits pursuing police in broad daylight. This happened in Kaduna yesterday,” the video was captioned.
The post has been viewed over 161,000 times and has generated over 860 retweets, including quotes.
However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the description is misleading and does not match the context of the recording.
The video captures a clash between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Nigerian police in Kaduna on Thursday, Nov. 16, that led to the death of at least one demonstrator — according to a report by Punch Newspaper.
Contrary to the poster’s claim, the individuals in the clip are not bandits, but rather IMN protesters engaged in a demonstration against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
“Our operatives, in the process of dispersing them, were pelted with stones and other dangerous objects such as catapults and in the process, one innocent civilian by the name Aliyu Sani was hit and he died,” said Kaduna police spokesperson Mansir Hassan.
Several protesters in the video can be seen prominently waving Palestinian flags, signalling their support for the Palestinian cause. This aligns with the well-documented history of IMN’s activism in solidarity with various global issues, including the Palestinian struggle.
The attire and symbols displayed by the individuals in the video and other pictures from the protest are consistent with those associated with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. Members of IMN are known for their distinctive dress, often featuring black attire, and can be seen carrying symbols associated with their organisation.
Additionally, the Punch report stated that the demonstration occurred on Muhammadu Buhari Way, formerly WAFF Road.
HumAngle was able to confirm this using images from Google Street View captured in October 2021 by matching landmarks visible in the video, including a cell tower, several buildings, streetlights, tree patterns, and road markings. Our analysis showed that the video may have been recorded from the Bank of Industry compound along the road.
Misinformation can have serious consequences, especially when related to sensitive topics such as security. It is crucial for social media users to critically evaluate the content they encounter and refrain from sharing unverified information that may contribute to the spread of false narratives.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.