Emmanuel BidaFebruary 23, 2026
A widely shared claim posted on Facebook alleging that South Sudanese intelligence confiscated coffins used by opposition rebel groups to smuggle weapons is false.
The original post states, “Breaking: Intelligence uncovers use of coffins to smuggle weapons in South Sudan. The rebels are smuggling weapons like this.”
The claims were also posted here and here.
In the accompanying images, five armed men dressed in black tactical gear are seen addressing a group of suspects kneeling before them. Parked nearby is a vehicle presumably used for transporting the coffins and ammunition. Among the individuals kneeling and those being escorted, one man can be seen wearing a white traditional Muslim garment.
A second group of military personnel stands behind the high command, likely providing security for the officers and the detainees.
Other photos in the post show an open coffin containing three boxes filled with bullets, three army officers carrying one of the coffins, and black sacks from which ammunition has been poured.
Debunking the Claim:
The ClarityDesk conducted a Google Reverse Image Search, which revealed that the photos depict armed criminals arrested by security forces in Abuja, Nigeria, while traveling in a van heading to Yoruba land in March 2016.
To further determine the authenticity of the photos, MC-Mordern Ghana also published a story titled “PHOTOS: Coffin Carrying Ammunition, Disguised Pastor and Others Arrested.”
Other outlets have previously published similar stories featuring these images, Kenya Talk and the Nigerian online outlets L.frii, Exclusif Net-Nigeria, and here
While Zone Presse also shared these images on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account in French, a Google translation conducted by The Clarity Desk revealed that the post actually described a funeral procession intercepted in Nigeria.
Our Verdict:
The ClarityDesk finds the claim that these photos show South Sudanese security officers who intercepted rebels smuggling weapons in coffins to be false. The images depict a separate incident in Nigeria where security forces apprehended criminals disguised as pastors.
This article is published by The ClarityDesk, with the support of the Election Civic Tech Fund of AfricTivistes, within the AHEAD Africa and Digitalise Youth projects, led by the Digital Democracy Initiative.
Have you spotted an error in this article and would like to request a correction, or have you come across a claim that we should investigate? Please send us an email via editor@claritydesk.org or click here to WhatsApp us via +211 928 606 958.
About The ClarityDesk
The ClarityDesk is a media integrity project based in South Sudan dedicated to promoting truth, transparency, and accountability. Working at the intersection of fact-checking, solutions and data journalism, we verify claims, debunk misinformation, and equip the public with tools to critically evaluate information. Our work is guided by accuracy, independence, and the public interest.
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