No Airport Runway at Alleged Unlawful Mining Website in Kogi — PRNigeria Reality-Verify Debunks Viral Declare
A viral video circulating on social media alleging the existence of an unlawful mining website with an airport runway in Iddo, close to the Mopa-Muro space of Kogi State, has been debunked as false by PRNigeria following an intensive fact-check.
The extensively shared footage, significantly on Fb, encompasses a narrator claiming that unnamed elites and authorities officers have facilitated a large unlawful operation, together with an airport-style runway, inside a forested space of Kogi. The video shows a digital map of the realm highlighting landmarks similar to Iluhagba Main Well being Heart, Agbele, Jubilee Evangelical Church of Christ, and Authorities Technical Faculty, amongst others.
In a dramatic voiceover, the narrator laments what he calls the “value of ignorance on Nigeria,” suggesting the location is getting used for capital flight and mineral smuggling beneath the guise of a “mendacity stone firm.” The video additionally contains an unrelated clip of Senator Adams Oshiomhole accusing some army officers and civil servants of being concerned in unlawful useful resource extraction by way of helicopters.
The declare sparked combined reactions on-line, with many Nigerians citing the prevalence of unlawful mining within the nation as motive to consider the story might be credible.
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Kogi State is understood for its abundance of mineral assets—over 23 in commercially viable portions—together with gold, iron ore, coal, marble, and crude oil. Nevertheless, in accordance with findings by PRNigeria, there isn’t a proof supporting the existence of an airport runway or any aviation infrastructure on the alleged website.
Utilizing satellite tv for pc imaging instruments similar to Google Earth, PRNigeria geolocated the landmarks featured within the video however discovered no hint of an airstrip or runway in Iddo or the encompassing Mopa-Muro space. Reverse picture search evaluation additionally revealed that the video first appeared on-line in late April 2025 however contained no verifiable aerial infrastructure.
The investigative crew referenced 2024 stories of unlawful mining in Kogi that led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of over 50 coal-laden vans. Nevertheless, no stories indicated the presence of any airstrip or aviation facility in these circumstances.
In a swift response, the Kogi State Authorities dismissed the video as a fabrication. The State Commissioner for Info and Communications, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, described the allegations as baseless, affirming that no hidden airport or refinery exists in Mopa or its surrounding forests.
Moreover, the Mining Marshal Corps and different related authorities our bodies confirmed to PRNigeria that no such facility has been found or reported within the space.
Conclusion:
Following a complete digital forensic investigation, PRNigeria discovered no credible proof to again the viral declare. Specialists and state authorities confirmed that the infrastructure described within the video doesn’t exist.
Verdict: FALSE — There is no such thing as a unlawful mining website with an airport runway in Iddo close to Mopa-Muro, Kogi State.
