By Daniel Otera

A viral Facebook post has caused a stir on social media, claiming that the Russian government issued a direct threat to Nigeria over an alleged plan to attack Burkina Faso.

The post, attributed to a Facebook page named “Celebrity Blogger”, claims Russia warned President Bola Tinubu that any military move against Burkina Faso would lead to the “total destruction of Abuja” and that Nigeria would be “wiped off the map”.

The message has circulated widely on Facebook and WhatsApp, accompanied by a collage featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Tinubu, and Burkinafaso junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré.

The post reads:  “Just in: If Nigeria dares to launch any attack on Burkinabe territory, we will ensure that Nigeria is wiped off the map,” the Russian government warns President Tinubu.

“Any attempt to invade Burkina Faso will lead to the total destruction of Abuja,”

The post also includes a shortened link, with no context or citation from any official source.

Grassroots check the facts. Did Russia truly issue such a warning? Is Nigeria plotting an invasion of Burkina Faso? Here is what the evidence shows.

Grassroots finds out that there is no official or credible report to support the claim that Russia threatened to destroy Nigeria. Neither the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Kremlin, the Russian Embassy in Nigeria, nor any credible diplomatic channel has made such a statement.

A review of public records and reliable news platforms, including TASS, BBC, Al Jazeera, and Reuters, reveals no mention of any warning or statement directed at Nigeria over Burkina Faso.

More importantly, there is no military or diplomatic tension between Nigeria and Burkina Faso. While Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, formally withdrew from ECOWAS in early 2024 following disagreements over governance, foreign influence, and sanctions, there is no credible indication that Nigeria has threatened to invade.

ECOWAS responded to the withdrawals through diplomatic channels, maintaining a political posture and expressing openness to future negotiations.

Reports from credible media outlets, such as the BBC, confirm that the three Sahelian countries jointly announced their exit, citing the bloc’s alleged alignment with foreign interests.

However, no statement from Nigeria’s government, its military, or ECOWAS suggests any plan for military aggression or territorial action.

Grassroots check shows that discussions within ECOWAS have focused on sanctions, mediation, and regional security not on war. No verified Nigerian government statement or credible foreign intelligence report has referenced any military action against Burkina Faso.

The language used in the viral post also raises several red flags. Phrases such as “wiped off the map” and “total destruction of Abuja” are highly sensational and not in line with the careful, diplomatic tone used in international relations.

Despite Russia’s growing ties with military regimes in the Sahel, it has not publicly expressed any hostility toward Nigeria, which remains a key political and economic power in West Africa. Had such a threat truly been issued, it would have made headlines globally.

Grassroots check further reveals that the post originates from a Facebook page known for publishing misleading and sensational content. The page “Celebrity Blogger” has a long-standing pattern of sharing unverifiable celebrity gossip, fake obituaries, and geopolitical conspiracy theories. It lacks editorial transparency, making it an unreliable source.

This behaviour fits into a broader pattern highlighted by media watchdogs. An investigation by Afrocritik found that several Nigerian gossip blogs and pages regularly publish falsehoods to boost traffic and engagement.

Similarly, a HumAngle report on Facebook misinformation noted that cloned or anonymous accounts often impersonate news outlets and exploit trending issues without fact-checking, creating confusion among the public.

These platforms rarely issue corrections and often fail to cite credible sources. “Celebrity Blogger” fits this profile consistently pushing emotionally charged and inaccurate content to attract attention rather than inform responsibly.

The image attached to the post also appears digitally altered to create a dramatic effect. It includes emojis and edited screenshots with no relation to the claim.

The link (da.gd/hw5Q6X) leads to a third-party site that offers no verifiable source, official statement, or interview. This is a typical tactic used in disinformation campaigns aimed at misleading readers while generating website clicks.

Grassroots checks finds out that the post is not only false but dangerous. It risks inflaming diplomatic tension and misleading the public with fabricated claims during a sensitive regional moment.

Conclusion:

There is no evidence that Nigeria is planning any military action against Burkina Faso.