FACTCHECK: These Images Do Not Show Attacks on Igbos in the North — They Are AI-Generated and Misleading

BY: Mustapha Lawal

Claim: 

Igbos were attacked by Hausas in Northern Nigeria following the Edo incident.

Verdict:
False. The images shared to support this claim are AI-generated and old photos from unrelated events. There is also no credible report of such attacks in the North as described in the viral post.

Full text:
A series of Facebook posts alleges that Hausas launched retaliatory attacks on Igbos in the North following the lynching of 16 travellers in Edo State. The post claims six Igbos were killed, ten injured and that Igbo markets and residential areas were set on fire. It is accompanied by a set of images purportedly showing the alleged violence.

Screenshot of one of such post|| FCA

The series of Facebook posts found here, here, here, here, and here reads, ”Breaking News: Happening now—at least six Igbo men have been killed and ten others injured as a group of armed Hausa youths invaded an Igbo market in the North, attacking anyone in sight”.

The post urged people to “call your family in the North right now”, warning that armed Hausa youths were burning buildings with Igbo residents still inside

Recall that on March 28, 2025, reports surfaced about the alleged lynching of 16 men by local vigilantes in Uromi, Edo State. The victims were reportedly en route to Kano when they were stopped, searched, and accused of carrying weapons. The incident drew widespread condemnation and sparked fears of reprisal.

Verification

FactCheckAfrica conducted a Reverse Image Search on the accompanying photos in the posts. One image showing a burning building was traced back to September 8, 2023. It was originally part of a report by ACI Africa, documenting a fire at the St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Catholic Church in Kaduna, unrelated to any Igbo-Hausa conflict.

Another image was lifted from the March 11, 2025, tanker explosion in Lagos, as reported by HumAngle Media. Again, there is no connection to interethnic violence.

Two other images in the post contained characteristics such as distorted backgrounds, inconsistent shadows, and surreal detailing, which suggests they were AI-generated. FactCheckAfrica analyzed them using multiple AI image detection tools for identifying synthetic media, which all showed an average score of  99% AI-generation likelihood.

Furthermore, a keyword search across reputable media sources yielded no credible news reports about attacks on Igbo communities in the North following the Edo lynching. Additionally, the Nigerian Police Force and relevant state authorities have not issued any alerts or confirmations regarding such events.

Conclusion

The viral post claiming that Hausas attacked Igbos in retaliation for the Edo killings is false and inflammatory. It uses manipulative imagery, including AI-generated visuals and unrelated past events, to stoke ethnic tensions.