A viral video showing a group of young men in uniforms associated with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), also known as Izala, chanting for AK-47 rifles and threatening attacks in Enugu and Jos has drawn strong reactions across Nigeria.
In the footage, which circulated widely on social media on Monday, the participants are seen jogging in formation. One of them is heard demanding an AK-47 to travel to Enugu, describing the city as a “land of infidels” and threatening to open fire on worshippers on a Sunday.
Similar threats are made regarding Jos in Plateau State.
The chants have raised serious concerns about the potential for religiously motivated violence.
The national leadership of JIBWIS has strongly dissociated the organisation from the statements in the video. National Chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to investigate the footage, identify those involved and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
JIBWIS described the threats as contrary to its principles and teachings.
Amnesty International Nigeria also called for an immediate and independent investigation, describing the chants as a “vicious display of children being manipulated and indoctrinated with religious violence and hatred.” The rights group urged authorities to examine the instructors, the origin of the video and the content of the activities.
Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
