JIBWIS LEADER CONDEMNS ATTACK ‘INFIDELS’ CHANTS, URGES DSS, POLICE TO ARREST CULPRITS

A viral video showing youths in uniforms associated with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah chanting for an AK-47 and threatening attacks in Enugu and Jos has prompted calls for an investigation by the religious organisation and Amnesty International Nigeria.

The viral video, which circulated on social media on Monday, shows the youths participating in a marching exercise while chanting statements advocating violence against people they described as infidels, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE CHANTS

In the video, one of the participants was heard saying: “Aban AK, Aban AK, Aban AK, Na je Enugu, Na je Enugu, cikin arna, cikin arna, tun ran Sunday, tun ran Sunday, suna murna, suna tapi, suna tapi, na basu wuta, na basu wuta, na basu wuta… tutu tutu tutu tutu… Aban AK, Aban AK, Aban AK, na je can Jos, na je can Jos”.

The chant translates to: “They should give me an AK-47; I should go to Enugu amidst infidels, on a Sunday while they are jubilating and clapping. I’ll open fire on them… They should give me an AK-47, and I should go to Jos to open fire on the infidels there” .

THE ORGANISATION’S RESPONSE

The National Chairman of JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, condemned the statements and called on security agencies to investigate the incident.In a statement, Bala Lau urged the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies to identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

“Reacting to the disturbing development, Sheikh Bala Lau called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement read.

The organisation dissociated itself from the chants, describing the calls for violence as inconsistent with its principles and teachings.

It also cautioned against assuming that the individuals were acting on its behalf simply because they wore uniforms associated with its First Aid Group.

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“The National Chairman categorically dissociated JIBWIS from the inflammatory statements, stressing that such expressions of violence, intimidation and threats against any community are completely alien to the principles, teachings and objectives upon which the organisation was established,” the statement added.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S CALL

Amnesty International Nigeria called for an independent investigation into the footage, raising concerns about the presence of teenagers and children in the marching exercise.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and independently investigate a horrifying viral video of teenagers and children participating in marching drills led by adult coordinators wearing uniforms of Jama’atu Izalatu Bidi’a wa’iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS) in northern Nigeria,” the organisation said.

“The marchers were chanting slogans asking to be handed: ‘AK-47 to attack infidels on a Sunday in Enugu and Jos….’ The slogans are a vicious display of children being manipulated and indoctrinated with violence and hatred. Such activities deepen hatred and encourage violence”.

Amnesty International urged authorities to establish the identities of the organisers, determine where the footage was recorded and examine the activities and messages presented during the youth programmes.

WHY IT MATTERS

The video is a chilling reminder of the fragility of religious tolerance in Nigeria.

Whether the chants were a misguided drill, a provocative stunt, or a genuine expression of violent intent, they have no place in a multi-religious society.

The fact that children were involved makes it worse.

JIBWIS has condemned the chants and called for an investigation. Amnesty International has echoed that call.

Now, the security agencies must act.

The video has been seen by millions. If nothing is done, it will send a message that hate speech and incitement to violence can go unpunished.

If the perpetrators are identified and prosecuted, it will send a different message: that Nigeria will not tolerate those who seek to set its communities against each other.

The investigation must be swift, transparent, and credible. The alternative is too dangerous to contemplate. ValidViewNetwork reports.