Independent Reporters

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: Malian Government Declares 2 JNIM Terror1sts Supponsors Wanted Offers Billion Rewards for Information

The Malian government has announced financial rewards running into billions of CFA francs for information leading to the capture or neutralisation of some of the country’s most wanted terrorist leaders, as authorities intensify efforts to combat insurgency across the Sahel.

The move, approved under the leadership of military ruler Gen. Assimi Goïta, targets key figures accused of orchestrating attacks against civilians, security forces and state institutions.

According to official information reported by state media, a reward of two billion CFA francs has been placed on Iyad Ag Ghali, leader of the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), while a reward of 1.5 billion CFA francs has been offered for information leading to the capture of Amadou Koufa, a prominent militant commander associated with Katiba Macina.

Several other leaders of armed groups operating in Mali and the wider Sahel region are also covered by the reward scheme, with varying sums attached to them.

The Malian authorities said the rewards would be paid to individuals who provide credible information leading to the location, arrest or neutralisation of the wanted suspects. Citizens were urged to cooperate with security agencies by sharing relevant intelligence.

The announcement comes amid renewed military operations against jihadist groups in northern and central Mali, where insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have continued to launch attacks despite sustained counterterrorism campaigns.

Malian authorities have vowed to continue pursuing the leaders and support networks of armed groups until they are brought to justice.

FACT CHECK: A viral video currently circulating on social media is being falsely presented as evidence of an alleged illegal mining operation in Nigeria.

The footage shows individuals unloading materials from a helicopter, with several social media users claiming the aircraft was being used to support illegal mining activities inside Nigeria.

However, Investigation show that this narrative is false.

Using open-source intelligence (OSINT), aircraft tracking records, and aviation databases, the helicopter seen in the video as a Mil Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter bearing registration RA-25659.

Our review found no evidence linking this aircraft to any mining operation in Nigeria.

Instead, available aviation records show that the helicopter has historically operated in South Sudan under humanitarian contracts.

The aircraft has been documented operating in and around Rumbek, South Sudan, where it was deployed under contract supporting operations of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

In conflict-affected and remote regions of South Sudan, helicopters such as the Mi-8MTV-1 are routinely used for:

- Delivery of humanitarian relief supplies
- Transportation of food aid
- Agricultural support missions
- Logistics operations to communities inaccessible by road
- Emergency response activities

The unloading of cargo from a helicopter in such environments is therefore entirely consistent with humanitarian and logistical operations conducted by UN agencies across the region.

Many users shared the clip without conducting even basic verification of the aircraft registration, operational history, or geographical context.

A simple investigation revealed that the claim collapsed almost immediately once the helicopter was identified.