Fact-check exposes CBN News for using a Muslim mass-burial photo to push a false “Christian genocide” claim in Nigeria. Full analysis, truth, and implications.
A viral report published by CBN News has sparked outrage and confusion across Nigeria after it used a photo of a Muslim mass burial and falsely claimed it was evidence of Muslims killing 25 Christians in the latest wave of attacks. The misleading headline, “Muslims Murder 25 Christians in Latest Violence Across Nigeria,” immediately ignited religious tension online.
However, a thorough review of the image shows it clearly depicts a Muslim funeral rite, not a Christian mass burial. This raises serious concerns about intentional misinformation, media irresponsibility, and the dangerous consequences of provoking religious hostility in an already fragile country.
This article presents a detailed fact-check, corrects the narrative, and explains how such reports can inflame tensions if not addressed early.
The Misleading Image: Muslim Burial Photo Misrepresented
The photo used in the CBN News report is not from a Christian community, nor does it show Christians killed by Muslims.
A closer examination reveals:
The mourners are predominantly Muslim, wearing traditional Hausa/Fulani attire.
The bodies are wrapped in white burial shrouds (kafin), which is Islamic burial tradition.
The setting is an open-air Muslim janazah (funeral prayer) — a common practice in northern Nigeria.
The misuse of this image raises a major question:
Why would a media outlet use a Muslim burial photo to push a Christian genocide narrative?
Weaponizing Religion: The Real Danger Behind This Narrative
Nigeria is a multi-faith nation, and history shows that false religious reports can ignite crisis within hours.
By misrepresenting images and presenting unverified information, CBN News:
Promotes an exaggerated narrative of religious warfare
Increases fear among Christian communities unnecessarily
Exposes Muslims to profiling, hatred, and retaliation
Creates mistrust between religious groups that have coexisted for centuries
Undermines national security efforts and peacebuilding initiatives
This type of disinformation has long fueled tensions in Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, and parts of the North-West.
The goal is often to divide communities, attract international attention, or push political interests.
Understanding Nigeria’s Conflict: It Is NOT a Religious War
Contrary to popular narratives, security experts and countless studies have shown that most violence in Nigeria’s North is driven by:
- Banditry and terrorism, not religion
- Land and resource conflicts
- Ethno-political struggles
- Criminal gangs exploiting weak security structures
Communities—Muslim and Christian—have both suffered heavily.
This is why using religious labels like “Muslims killed Christians” is extremely misleading and dangerous.
In previous attacks, Muslim communities were also victims, yet those incidents rarely trend in foreign media.
Why Accurate Reporting Matters
Nigeria is battling terrorism, banditry, and communal violence. The last thing the country needs is:
- Foreign media twisting facts
- Images taken out of context
- Reports framed to spark anger and retaliation
- Narratives portraying entire tribes or religions as killers
Irresponsible journalism can escalate tensions faster than any weapon.
Correcting the Narrative
What happened in the viral CBN News post is not just an error — it is misinformation.
For clarity:
The image is NOT of Christians killed by Muslims
It is NOT evidence of a Christian genocide
It is NOT connected to the incident reported
It is NOT verified by any Nigerian security agency or local authority
It IS a Muslim mass burial photo incorrectly used
It IS an example of media misinformation
It COULD fuel religious hatred if not corrected
It SHOULD be retracted and publicly corrected
The Need for Balanced Reporting
Nigeria deserves journalism that:
- Prioritizes facts over sensationalism
- Promotes peace, not conflict
- Respects the multi-religious identity of the nation
- Avoids framing crimes as religious when they are not
- Conducts proper verification before publishing
Responsible reporting can save lives.
Irresponsible reporting can destroy communities.
What Nigerians Must Understand
Before sharing any viral post involving religion:
Verify the source
Check if the image matches the story
Avoid forwarding inflammatory content
Promote unity over division
We must not allow foreign or local actors to use misinformation to divide the country along religious lines.
Nigeria’s security challenges are real, but they affect everyone—Muslims and Christians alike.
The CBN News report is a powerful example of how misinformation especially involving religion can escalate tensions in a diverse country like Nigeria.
Using a Muslim mass burial photo to portray a fabricated Christian genocide is not only irresponsible but dangerous.
For Nigeria to move forward, both local and international media must embrace truth, balance, and accuracy.
Because in a country like ours, a single false headline can set an entire region on fire.