‘They Are Not Terrorists,’ Shehu Sani Says Over JIBWIS Viral Video

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has defended Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) following public outrage over a viral video showing boys chanting lyrics allegedly threatening attacks on churchgoers in Enugu State.

Sani described the organisation as a group of well-behaved volunteers dedicated to humanitarian and moral causes, dismissing allegations portraying its members as terrorists or killers.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday afternoon, the former lawmaker wrote: “JIBWIS are not killers. They are not terrorists. They have been a well-behaved, uniformed group of volunteers supporting humanitarian and moral causes. The allegations against them are false and misleading.”

His comments came amid widespread reactions to footage circulating on social media showing a man leading a group of 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.

Translated lyrics from the footage describe Enugu as a land of “infidels” and include sounds imitating gunfire, raising concerns over religious intolerance and the possibility of violence against worshippers.

The uniform worn by the individuals in the video has been associated with the First Aid Group (FAG), the humanitarian and volunteer service arm of JIBWIS. Members of the group are locally known as ’Yan Agaji.

The video has triggered calls for security agencies to identify those involved and investigate the alleged threats, particularly given the reference to a possible attack on churchgoers in Enugu.