FACT-CHECK: Viral photo of clergyman praying by graveside misrepresented as 2025 ‘Christian genocide’

A viral image shared on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram shows a clergyman, said to be Reverend Dachomo, kneeling beside an open grave.

The accompanying post alleges that the scene represents ongoing evidence of a “Christian genocide” in Northern Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2025.

Below are findings concerning the image and post.

1. The image is old

A reverse image search confirms that the photo is not new. It first appeared online in 2023, when several Nigerian media outlets published it in reports covering a mass burial for victims of communal clashes in Plateau State. The same image has since been repeatedly circulated on social media during fresh outbreaks of violence or political controversy.

2. Original context of the photo

The picture was taken during a 2023 memorial for victims of sectarian violence in Plateau State. Reverend Dachomo and other local clergy were photographed praying for peace at the gravesite. There was no indication of a government-led or ongoing genocide at the time.

3. No evidence of ‘Christian genocide’ in 2025

Checks show that no credible reports — from security agencies, human rights organizations, or independent monitors — have confirmed the existence of any coordinated or state-sponsored killings of Christians in Northern Nigeria in 2025.

While isolated security incidents persist, there is no verified evidence of a systematic campaign against any religious group.

4. Recurring pattern of misinformation

This case reflects a familiar trend in which old or unrelated photos are repurposed online to inflame ethnic or religious tensions. Reputable fact-checking platforms such as Dubawa, Africa Check, and AFP Fact Check have previously debunked similar instances where outdated conflict images were used to mislead the public.

Verdict:
The viral image is from 2023, not 2025. It shows a clergyman praying for victims of earlier communal violence, not proof of a new or ongoing “Christian genocide.”

Claims suggesting that the photo is recent evidence of state-backed killings are false and misleading.