JIBWIS leadership calls for investigation into viral video threatening attacks

Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), has called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to investigate a viral video containing inflammatory threats.

The footage reportedly shows a man wearing a JIBWIS First Aid Group uniform while chanting for AK-47 rifles to facilitate attacks on people in Enugu and Plateau states. The translated chants allegedly describe Enugu as “the land of the infidels” and call for violence against people during Sunday worship before traveling to Jos.

Sheikh Bala Lau has categorically dissociated JIBWIS from the statements, asserting that violence and intimidation are contrary to the organization’s principles. He noted that wearing the organization’s uniform does not necessarily mean an individual is acting with its authorization and expressed concern that the video might be an attempt by external interests to misrepresent the group and undermine its reputation. He highlighted the organization’s recent efforts toward interfaith dialogue to counter such narratives.