THIS DAWN — A viral claim suggesting that Mohammed Yusuf, the late Boko Haram leader, Asari Dokubo, former Niger Delta militant, and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), were photographed together at a Mossad training center in Israel has resurfaced online.
The allegation, widely circulated on social media, has reignited conspiracy theories about links between Nigerian religious and militant figures and foreign intelligence agencies.
However, investigations and credible fact-checks have confirmed that the claim is false and misleading.
The widely shared photograph of the three men was not taken in Israel, nor at any Mossad facility.
Instead, the image originated in Nigeria years ago and has been repeatedly misused to push unfounded narratives.
The photo first went viral in 2014 amid heightened insecurity in Nigeria, when Boko Haram insurgency and Niger Delta militancy dominated headlines.
Online commentators claimed the image proved collusion between Christian leaders, Islamist extremists, and militants under the sponsorship of foreign intelligence.
Yet, no evidence has ever substantiated these allegations.
Analysts note that the inclusion of Pastor Oritsejafor in the conspiracy theory stems from his involvement in the controversial $9.3 million arms deal scandal of 2014.
Back then, a private jet he owned was linked to an illegal arms purchase.
Though a government panel later cleared him of wrongdoing, the incident fueled speculation and made him a target of misinformation campaigns.
“Conspiracy narratives”
Similarly, Asari Dokubo’s activities as a Niger Delta warlord and Yusuf’s notoriety as Boko Haram’s founder have made them recurring figures in conspiracy narratives.
Security experts emphasize that Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, has never been credibly linked to training Nigerian militants or religious leaders.
The claim rests entirely on misrepresentation of a single photograph, with no corroborating evidence from reputable sources.
The persistence of this narrative highlights the broader challenge of misinformation in Nigeria, where viral content can quickly shape public opinion and deepen mistrust.
Authorities and fact-checkers urge citizens to verify information before sharing, warning that such falsehoods can inflame ethnic and religious tensions.
In conclusion, the allegation that Yusuf, Dokubo, and Oritsejafor were in Israel at a Mossad training center is baseless.
The photo was taken in Nigeria, and its repeated circulation reflects the dangers of weaponized misinformation in a fragile security environment.
