Viral Video Misattributed to Marte Attack Resurfaces — Experts Confirm It’s from 2020 Sahel Conflict

A disturbing video circulating on social media, allegedly showing Nigerian soldiers captured and executed by ISWAP terrorists in Marte, Borno State, has been confirmed to be misleading and unrelated to any recent attacks in Nigeria.

Fact-checking reveals that the video, which has triggered widespread outrage and concern, originated from a 2020 incident in the Sahel region, not Nigeria. The footage shows soldiers being executed by militants identified as belonging to Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group active in parts of Mali and Burkina Faso.

The video was first shared online on April 5, 2020, via the Nairaland platform and has since resurfaced multiple times. It was removed by YouTube shortly after due to its graphic content and violation of community guidelines.

Security analysts have reiterated that the clip is not connected to the Nigerian Armed Forces and does not depict events related to the Marte attack or any other recent assault involving bandits or insurgents.

“This video has been debunked several times in the past,” said a military source who spoke under the condition of anonymity. “Unfortunately, misinformation like this continues to resurface, causing panic and undermining public trust.”

The Nigerian Army and media monitoring organizations have called on the public to exercise caution when sharing unverified content, especially videos with violent imagery.

Experts warn that the spread of outdated or unrelated footage contributes to public fear, undermines national security efforts, and can fuel disinformation campaigns.

Social media users are urged to verify sources before reposting such content and to report any misleading material to relevant platforms or authorities.