No Airport Runway at Alleged Illegal Mining Site in Kogi — PRNigeria Fact-Check Debunks Viral Claim
A viral video circulating on social media alleging the existence of an illegal mining site with an airport runway in Iddo, near the Mopa-Muro area of Kogi State, has been debunked as false by PRNigeria following a thorough fact-check.
The widely shared footage, particularly on Facebook, features a narrator claiming that unnamed elites and government officials have facilitated a massive illegal operation, including an airport-style runway, within a forested area of Kogi. The video displays a digital map of the area highlighting landmarks such as Iluhagba Primary Health Center, Agbele, Jubilee Evangelical Church of Christ, and Government Technical College, among others.
In a dramatic voiceover, the narrator laments what he calls the “cost of ignorance on Nigeria,” suggesting the site is being used for capital flight and mineral smuggling under the guise of a “lying stone company.” The video also includes an unrelated clip of Senator Adams Oshiomhole accusing some military officers and civil servants of being involved in illegal resource extraction via helicopters.
The claim sparked mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians citing the prevalence of illegal mining in the country as reason to believe the story could be credible.
Kogi State is known for its abundance of mineral resources—over 23 in commercially viable quantities—including gold, iron ore, coal, marble, and crude oil. However, according to findings by PRNigeria, there is no evidence supporting the existence of an airport runway or any aviation infrastructure at the alleged site.
Using satellite imaging tools such as Google Earth, PRNigeria geolocated the landmarks featured in the video but found no trace of an airstrip or runway in Iddo or the surrounding Mopa-Muro area. Reverse image search analysis also revealed that the video first appeared online in late April 2025 but contained no verifiable aerial infrastructure.
The investigative team referenced 2024 reports of illegal mining in Kogi that led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the seizure of over 50 coal-laden trucks. However, no reports indicated the presence of any airstrip or aviation facility in those cases.
In a swift response, the Kogi State Government dismissed the video as a fabrication. The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, described the allegations as baseless, affirming that no hidden airport or refinery exists in Mopa or its surrounding forests.
Furthermore, the Mining Marshal Corps and other relevant government bodies confirmed to PRNigeria that no such facility has been discovered or reported in the area.
Conclusion:
Following a comprehensive digital forensic investigation, PRNigeria found no credible evidence to back the viral claim. Experts and state authorities confirmed that the infrastructure described in the video does not exist.
Verdict: FALSE — There is no illegal mining site with an airport runway in Iddo near Mopa-Muro, Kogi State.
