Fake Image of Governor Alia Bowing to Sultan Sparks Controversy, Palace Reacts

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed a viral image circulating on social media that allegedly shows the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, bowing before him in an act described by some users as “worship.”

The image, which spread rapidly across WhatsApp, Facebook, and other platforms, triggered widespread reactions online, with some users linking it to religious undertones and ongoing security tensions in Benue State. The post was widely shared with claims suggesting that the governor was seen in a submissive or worshipful posture during a visit to the Sultan.

However, the Sultan firmly rejected the claims, describing the image as false, misleading, and part of a coordinated attempt to spread disinformation capable of inciting religious and ethnic tension in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his media team and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan’s office clarified that the viral content titled “leaked photo of Governor Hyacinth Alia worshipping the Sultan of Sokoto” was fabricated and designed to mislead the public.

The statement stressed that the content was likely AI-generated or digitally manipulated, warning that such material is increasingly being used to distort public perception and create division.

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According to the Sultan’s media team, the viral narrative was not only false but also deliberately structured to drag the monarch into political and security issues unrelated to his office.

The statement further explained that the accompanying commentary falsely accused the Sultan of religious bias, warning that such narratives could worsen tensions in already sensitive regions.

It added that the circulation of such content reflects a growing trend of online misinformation and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising national unity by exploiting religious and ethnic sentiments.

The Sultan’s office also emphasized that the monarch has consistently promoted peace, unity, and interfaith dialogue in Nigeria, noting his roles in various national and international religious and traditional leadership councils.

It urged Nigerians to disregard the viral post and avoid sharing unverified content capable of causing panic or division, especially in sensitive periods of insecurity.

“As custodians of the image and public communication of the Sultan of Sokoto… we condemn these acts in the strongest terms,” the statement said, calling for responsible use of social media.

The statement also appealed to Nigerians to verify information before sharing, warning that the spread of fake images and manipulated content poses a serious threat to national unity, religious harmony, and public peace.

Fake Image of Governor Alia Bowing to Sultan Sparks Controversy, Palace Reacts

Zulum Defends NAF Airstrike, Says Jilli Market Closed Five Years Ago

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has defended the Nigerian military over a controversial airstrike in Jilli, insisting that the location widely described as a “market” had been shut down for years due to insurgency.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor said the Jilli market in Gubio Local Government Area—located along the Borno–Yobe border—was officially closed about five years ago as part of security measures to curb terrorist activities.

Zulum described Jilli as a notorious hub allegedly used by insurgents and their logistics networks, stressing that it no longer functioned as a legitimate civilian marketplace.

“I have been properly briefed on the airstrike carried out by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Jilli market… Let me state categorically that the Borno State Government closed Jilli and Gazabure markets five years ago,” the governor said.

He added that his administration is in active consultation with the Yobe State Government and military authorities to fully assess the situation and ensure proper coordination going forward.

The airstrike, carried out on April 11, 2026, by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, reportedly targeted suspected terrorist positions in the area following intelligence reports and earlier operations in the corridor.

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However, initial reports indicated that over 50 people were feared killed, sparking concern over possible civilian casualties and raising questions about the nature of the target.

Eyewitness accounts suggested that the strike hit a location believed by locals to be a weekly trading point, triggering panic among residents as explosions rocked the area.

In response, Zulum emphasised that the Borno State Government maintains strict protocols before reopening markets or resettling communities affected by insurgency, noting that such decisions are made in close coordination with security agencies.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting civilians while supporting military operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks across the North-East.

The governor also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces by providing credible intelligence that could aid ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.

Military authorities have yet to release a detailed official report confirming casualty figures or clarifying the full circumstances of the strike.

Security analysts say the incident highlights the complex challenges of counterinsurgency warfare, where distinguishing between civilian activity and insurgent logistics hubs remains difficult, particularly in volatile border communities.

Despite the controversy, the Nigerian military has continued intensified operations across key areas in Borno and neighbouring states, targeting supply routes and strongholds used by extremist groups.

Zulum Defends NAF Airstrike, Says Jilli Market Closed Five Years Ago

BREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested a 15-year-old suspect allegedly involved in the deadly attack that killed Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, another officer, and two soldiers in Borno State.

The suspect, identified simply as Tijjani, was apprehended on Sunday in Ngamdu while reportedly on an errand to procure food supplies for members of his group.

In a video recorded after his arrest, the teenager confessed to being part of the armed group responsible for coordinated attacks in Benisheik and Ngamdu, areas that have witnessed renewed insurgent activity in recent months.

According to the suspect, the group operated from Jilli, a location described by military sources as a known logistics and movement hub for insurgents in the region. He said they moved from Jilli to carry out the attack and later returned to the same location.

Tijjani further disclosed that he had been sent with about ₦850,000 to collect logistics supplies from Ngamdu before his arrest. He added that he left his colleagues behind at Jilli and was unaware of subsequent developments following the operation.

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The late General Braimah, who commanded the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI, was killed on Thursday when suspected Boko Haram fighters launched an assault on a military base in the area. The attack also claimed the lives of another officer and two soldiers, underscoring the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the North-East.

Military sources indicate that the arrest of the teenage suspect is part of ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and cutting off their supply chains across Borno State.

Security analysts say the involvement of minors in insurgent activities highlights a disturbing pattern of recruitment by extremist groups, who often deploy young individuals for logistics, surveillance, and operational roles.

The Nigerian military has intensified surveillance and clearance operations across key corridors such as Jilli, Ngamdu, and Benisheik, following recent attacks, with the aim of preventing further assaults and restoring stability in the region.

Authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive official statement on the arrest, but security operations are expected to continue as efforts to track down other members of the group intensify.

The development comes amid renewed commitment by Operation HADIN KAI to sustain pressure on insurgents and disrupt their activities across the North-East.

BREAKING: Troops Arrest 15-Year-Old Linked to Killing of Gen Braimah in Borno