Fact-Check: Viral Image Alleging Fresh Killing by Fulani Herdsmen in Southern Nigeria is Misleading
BY: Mustapha Lawal
CLAIM:
A now deleted account purported to belong to Nigerian social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), shared an image on X (formerly Twitter) of a lifeless farmer, claiming the individual was recently attacked and killed by Fulani herdsmen in the South.
VERDICT:
Misleading. Investigations reveal the image is not recent and was originally posted in 2024 following an attack by suspected herdsmen in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, an eastern part of Nigeria.
Full Text
The killing of 16 northern travelers in Edo State on March 28, 2025, allegedly by local vigilantes, has reignited ethnic tensions and misinformation across Nigeria’s online spaces.
In the wake of this, an emotionally charged post by @Coolverydarkm X account featured a photo of a lifeless man in a field, said to be a farmer killed by Fulani herdsmen.
“This is getting out of hand, to be honest. How can you, as a Fulani, go to someone’s land, take his food, and kill him in the process? Where is your conscience?”
— @Coolverydarkm
Screenshot of the claim||FCA
The post, published on 2nd April 2025, quickly gained traction, amassing over 3,500 reactions, hundreds of likes, and comments reflecting both agreement and skepticism. Some users questioned the timing, origin, and authenticity of the image, calling it an attempt to fuel ethnic animosity. As of the time of this report, the account no longer exist on the platform.
FactCheckAfrica investigated this claim due to how dangerous ethnic disinformation of this nature is in Nigeria, where historical tensions between communities have led to violence in the past. Amplifying outdated or unrelated visuals tied to recent events can easily inflame public sentiment and lead to real-world consequences.
Verification
FactCheckAfrica conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens and TinEye, revealing the image had appeared online as early as November 22, 2024. The earliest credible use was in a post by @IgboHistoFacts on X, referencing a suspected herdsmen attack in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State.
Further checks on Facebook pages like Fam with Tam and platforms such as Tori.ng, 9jaflaver, Nairaland, and Voice of Biafra confirmed the image’s association with the November 2024 Eha-Amufu killings. These platforms reported that at least three farmers were killed and several others injured in the attack, which drew widespread condemnation at the time.
No evidence exists to show that the image represents a recent incident, and no credible media reports or independent verifications support VDM’s claim of a new attack in April 2025.
Conclusion
The image shared by the post claiming that a southern farmer was recently killed by Fulani herdsmen is misleading. The image is from 2024 and is linked to a specific incident in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, which had already been widely reported by multiple media outlets. There is no evidence that it represents a new attack or that it occurred in any other region.
