These Photos Do Not Show a Recent Christmas Massacre in Nigeria
The Claim
Nigeria - New photos from within a church where at Christmas Christians were massacred in the name of Allah. Around 150 are confirmed dead so far, properties & farms were looted and burned.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media accounts and pages have been sharing images claiming to depict the aftermath of a Christmas massacre within a church, with reports suggesting that 150 individuals have been confirmed dead.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team discovered that the photos had been published in 2022.
St. Francis Catholic Church Endured Tragic Assault
According to Voice of America (VOA), a group heavily armed with firearms and explosives stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church on June 5, 2022. This attack tragically resulted in the deaths of 40 worshippers, while 80 others were injured. Nigerian security forces have detained four suspects believed to be involved in the assault. The authorities have attributed the massacre to the militant organization known as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Coordinated Gun Attacks in Plateau State Leave Many Dead, Others Missing
On December 27, a series of assaults by armed individuals in remote villages of Plateau state in north-central Nigeria resulted in the deaths of at least 140 people, with several others reported missing. Survivors and authorities have confirmed these attacks, which occurred on Christmas Eve, attributing the violence to the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders in the country.
The assailants, referred to as 'bandits' by local officials, meticulously carried out attacks across more than 20 communities. They set fire to numerous homes during the assaults that lasted through the weekend, with gunshots still echoing in the area even into Monday morning.
These incidents, linked to disputes over land and resources between farmers and herders, highlight the persistent challenges Nigeria faces in managing this crisis and securing affected regions. As investigations continue and efforts focus on locating those missing, affected communities and authorities are left grappling with the aftermath of these horrific attacks.
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