Nigerians Demand Probe Over Viral Video of Boys Chanting Threats Against Christians

Nigerians have called for an investigation after a viral video allegedly showed a young man leading boys dressed in JIBWIS volunteer uniforms in a chant threatening attacks on Christians in Enugu State.

The footage circulating on social media shows the man leading the boys as they march down a street, singing in Hausa. The chant calls for an AK-47 rifle to enable the singer to travel to Enugu and open fire on people attending church services on Sunday.

The translated lyrics describe Enugu as a land of “infidels” and feature sounds that imitate gunfire.

The uniform seen in the footage is associated with the First Aid Group (FAG) of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), the organisation’s humanitarian and volunteer service arm, whose members are locally known as ’Yan Agaji.

However, the uniform alone does not establish whether the individuals in the video are registered members of the organisation or whether the activity was authorised by its leadership.

The video has triggered calls for the authorities to identify those involved and investigate the alleged threats, with Nigerians expressing concerns about religious intolerance, national unity and the possible exposure of children to violent rhetoric.

Reacting on X, a user identified as Bia-pulse called for immediate action if the translation accompanying the footage was accurate.

“How can anyone openly make such threatening statements in the name of religion?” the user asked.

Bia-pulse urged the authorities to identify and arrest those involved if the allegations were substantiated, adding: “The people of Enugu and the entire South-East deserve protection. No one should be threatened with death because of their beliefs or identity.”

Another user, Mato, condemned the alleged chant, writing “This is pure barbarism.”

The user added that people should respect differences in religious beliefs, arguing that individuals should not describe others as infidels simply because they practise a different faith.

Lekdung expressed concern about religious intolerance, writing “It’s already clear and obvious now how religious intolerance continues to flourish in the north.”

Similarly, Babankowa called on the authorities and the Izala sect to investigate the footage and take appropriate action.

“This is un-Islamic. I called upon Authorities and the Izala sect to investigate this boy and take necessary action,” the user wrote.

Babankowa also warned against exploiting religious differences, adding, “At this very point in time, Nigeria is more important than anything.”

Pandora Queen also condemned the behaviour allegedly depicted in the video and called for action by the relevant authorities.

“As a Muslim, I condemn this behaviour, and I call on the appropriate authorities to take action on these young men. This is not Islam or what Islam teaches us,” the user wrote.

However, Faysarhl criticised what the user considered the tendency to associate the actions of people from northern Nigeria with Islam: “Why are you people so quick to call Islam whenever a northerner does something, and reverse is never the case when an easterner is doing something wrong,” the user wrote.

Devon Ajala said, “If we talk now, they will say we hate Islam. Indoctrinating little children… This is wild. If Enugu people start hating on Muslims, you will label them Islamophobes. ”

The reactions have highlighted concerns about religious tolerance, the protection of children from violent indoctrination and the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric in a country marked by religious and ethnic diversity.

The identity and location of the young man, the identities of the boys and their actual affiliation with JIBWIS have yet to be independently verified.