By Amina Joseph
There is growing public outrage following the emergence of a viral video showing a young man leading a group of boys dressed in JIBWIS volunteer uniforms while chanting threats against Christians in Enugu State.
In the video currently circulating on different social media platforms, the young man is seen leading the boys as they marched along a street, singing loudly in Hausa language.
According to translations of the chant shared online, the singer was calling for an AK-47 rifle to enable him travel to Enugu and open fire on worshippers attending Sunday church services.
The lyrics as translated also described Enugu as a land of "infidels" with the singer making sounds imitating gunshots.
Checks showed that the uniform worn by the boys in the footage is linked to the First Aid Group (FAG) of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), which is the humanitarian and volunteer wing of the Islamic organization. Members of the group are popularly known as 'Yan Agaji.
However, as at press time, it has not been independently verified whether the individuals in the video are registered members of JIBWIS or if the action was sanctioned by the leadership of the organization.
The disturbing footage has sparked widespread reactions from Nigerians who are calling on security agencies to immediately identify those involved, investigate the alleged threats and prevent any possible attack.
Many Nigerians expressed worry over rising religious intolerance and the use of children to promote violent rhetoric, warning that such actions could further threaten national unity.
Reacting to the video on X (formerly Twitter), a user identified as Bia-pulse demanded immediate action from authorities if the translation of the chant is correct.
"How can anyone openly make such threatening statements in the name of religion?" the user queried, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those involved if found culpable.
"The people of Enugu and the entire South-East deserve protection. No one should be threatened with death because of their beliefs or identity," Bia-pulse added.
Another user, Mato, described the chant as barbaric, stressing that people should learn to respect different religious beliefs and not label others as infidels because of their faith.
On his part, Lekdung lamented what he described as growing religious intolerance in the northern part of the country, while user Babankowa called on both security agencies and the leadership of the Izala sect to investigate the incident.
"This is un-Islamic. I called upon Authorities and the Izala sect to investigate this boy and take necessary action," Babankowa wrote, adding that Nigeria's unity should be placed above religious differences.
Similarly, a Muslim user identified as Pandora Queen condemned the video, saying, "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."
However, another user, Faysarhl, faulted the rush to link the action to Islam whenever a northerner is involved, arguing that the same is not done when people from other regions commit wrongs.
Devon Ajala also expressed concern over the alleged indoctrination of children, saying "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."
As the video continues to generate heated debates online, Nigerians are demanding a thorough investigation to establish the identities of those in the video, their location, and their actual affiliation with JIBWIS, while calling for measures to protect religious freedom and prevent incitement.
