JIBWIS and Christian group call for DSS probe of video allegedly threatening worshippers in Enugu and Jos
Update: JIBWIS national chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau has urged the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to identify the individual in the video. The Northern Christian Association has also called on security agencies to establish whether the footage is authentic and identify those featured.
There are conflicting claims online about when the video was recorded, with some users saying it dates back to 2020 and others saying it was posted only days ago. Social media users have also named a man they claim is the speaker, and there are unconfirmed reports that he has been suspended by the movement. None of these claims has been independently verified, and no official has named anyone.
Of particular concern is the apparent presence of children and young people during the chant. Critics fear that exposing minors to messages that appear to encourage religious violence could contribute to radicalisation and deepen religious tensions.
A disturbing video reportedly filmed somewhere in Northern Nigeria has raised serious concerns over alleged threats of religious violence, and is now being reported by several Nigerian news outlets.
The footage shows young men in brown uniforms and blue berets marching and chanting in Hausa during what appears to be a drill. News reports have linked the uniforms to the first-aid volunteer wing of the Islamic movement JIBWIS, whose members help coordinate Friday Jumu'ah prayers.
According to a Hausa-to-English translation circulating with the video, the drill leader allegedly calls for AK-47 rifles so the group can travel to Enugu and attack Christians during Sunday worship. He reportedly refers to the worshippers as "infidels", imitates the sound of gunfire, and also mentions Jos as another target.
Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, has called on the DSS and the police to investigate the video.
However, the location, date, identity of the speaker, the group's actual affiliation and the accuracy of the translation have not been independently verified. No response from the group had been reported at the time of writing.
If the translation is accurate, this is an extremely serious matter. Nobody should be allowed to use religion as an excuse to threaten innocent people, whether they are Christians or Muslims.
If someone openly calls for weapons to attack people during worship, shouldn't that be enough to trigger an immediate security investigation? Nigeria has suffered enough religious violence, and credible threats against worshippers cannot be treated as ordinary speech.
