Religious incitement threats in Nigeria

Overview

A viral video surfaced showing individuals in uniforms associated with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) calling for AK-47 rifles to attack Christian worshippers in Enugu and Jos. The footage reportedly included chants describing Enugu as “the land of the infidels.”

In response, the Zamfara State Police Command arrested 22-year-old Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun. The suspect was reportedly apprehended by JIBWIS and subsequently handed over to the police. Preliminary investigations indicate the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, in the Maradun Local Government Area, featuring the suspect alongside pupils from two Islamic schools.

JIBWIS leadership, led by National Chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has categorically dissociated the organization from the video. Lau stated that the inflammatory remarks contradict the group’s principles and suggested the footage might be a staged attempt by external actors to damage the organization’s reputation. He further called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident.

Various organizations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Northern Christian Association (NCA), and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), have condemned the video as a serious security concern. These groups have urged security agencies to conduct a thorough probe to identify any organizers or financiers behind the recording.

Entities

Enugu · Joseph Hayab · Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau · Zamfara State Police Command · Nigeria Police Force

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 18 SOURCES] The suspects in the video were wearing uniforms associated with the JIBWIS First Aid Group. www.parrotnewspaper.com · www.nigerianeye.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · churchtimesnigeria.net · www.irohinodua.org · +13 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The viral video shows youths demanding AK-47 rifles to attack Christians in Enugu and Jos. churchtimesnigeria.net · www.irohinodua.org · www.parrotnewspaper.com · ekohotblog.com · tgnews.com.ng · +11 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun was arrested by the Zamfara State Police Command. www.parrotnewspaper.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · platinumpost.news · newscentraltv.com · prnigeria.com · +4 more
[● 9 SOURCES] JIBWIS leadership has disavowed the video and the actions of the individuals shown. tgnews.com.ng · www.premiumtimesng.com · acnntv.com · platinumpost.news · newscentraltv.com · +4 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) demanded a probe into the video. ekohotblog.com · newtelegraphng.com · www.nigerianeye.com · thewhistler.ng · acnntv.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) called for the prosecution of those responsible. realnewsmagazine.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Northern Christian Association (NCA) described the video content as a serious security concern. churchtimesnigeria.net

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
JIBWIS leadership calls for investigation into viral video threatening attacks
JIBWIS Chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau has urged Nigerian security agencies to investigate a viral video allegedly showing a man in the group's uniform calling for armed attacks in Enugu and Plateau states.
1 day ago

[CRIME] 19 sources
Zamfara Police arrest man over viral video threatening Christians
Zamfara police arrested Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun after a viral video showed him chanting threats to attack Christians in Enugu and Jos using AK-47 rifles.

Sources

acnntv.com · blueprint.ng · churchtimesnigeria.net · ekohotblog.com · ghanamma.com · irohinodua.org · lindaikejisblog.com · matazarising.com · muslimnews.com.ng · newscentral.africa · newtelegraphng.com · nigerianeye.com · parrotnewspaper.com · platinumpost.ng · premiumtimesng.com · prnigeria.com · punchng.com · realnewsmagazine.net · tgnews.com.ng · thewhistler.ng

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history