CAN Nigeria: Probe Religious Threat Video After Violent Chants

• A viral video depicting youths threatening violence against Christians in Enugu and Jos has prompted widespread concern.
• The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for an urgent investigation by the DSS and Nigeria Police Force.
• CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh demanded the prosecution of anyone found responsible for inciting religious violence.
• The video showed youths associated with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) chanting threats and calling for an AK-47.
• CAN insists that JIBWIS's disavowal of the video does not replace the need for an independent and thorough investigation.

Anyone found culpable of inciting religious violence must face prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law, further calling for security agencies to assess the credibility of these threats and implement protective measures for Christian communities and places of worship across Enugu, Jos, and other vulnerable areas.

A disturbing video surfaced on social media platforms this past Monday, depicting a group of young individuals issuing violent threats against Christian communities. The footage shows youths, clad in uniforms identified with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), engaged in a marching exercise. During this display, they were heard chanting explicit calls for aggression, specifically targeting Christians during their Sunday worship services. One particularly alarming moment captured a participant demanding an AK-47 rifle and threatening to open fire on those he referred to as "infidels" in the cities of Enugu and Jos.

This viral content has ignited significant concern, highlighting a potential escalation of religious animosity within the country. The explicit nature of the threats, coupled with the call for specific weaponry and targeting of worshipers, has drawn widespread condemnation. The incident underscores the volatile environment surrounding religious coexistence in certain regions of Nigeria, prompting urgent calls for intervention and accountability from various stakeholders.

In response to the alarming video, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a strong demand for immediate and thorough investigation by national security agencies. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, released a statement on Tuesday, unequivocally condemning the threats as "chilling and utterly unacceptable." He stressed that such pronouncements should not be dismissed as mere youthful exuberance, asserting that no Nigerian should live in fear for their life or face violence due to their religious beliefs or while attending worship.

CAN specifically urged the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), alongside other relevant security bodies, to launch a comprehensive Enugu Jos Christian threats investigation. The association's demand includes identifying the location and timing of the video's recording, pinpointing all individuals involved, and determining if any entities organized or facilitated the activity. Archbishop Okoh emphasized that anyone found culpable of inciting religious violence must face prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law, further calling for security agencies to assess the credibility of these threats and implement protective measures for Christian communities and places of worship across Enugu, Jos, and other vulnerable areas.

While the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) has reportedly disavowed the video, CAN President Okoh maintained that such a denial does not negate the necessity for an independent probe. He highlighted the critical importance of establishing facts before drawing conclusions regarding any institutional involvement, reiterating that a denial of responsibility cannot substitute for a full investigation into the identities of those featured, the video's origin, and the circumstances surrounding the chants. The Christian Association of Nigeria demand extends to investigating whether any individuals or groups encouraged, financed, or facilitated these alleged threats, stressing that accountability must reach beyond those visibly present in the footage.

This incident underscores the broader societal responsibility to foster religious harmony. Archbishop Okoh appealed to religious leaders nationwide to actively reject teachings, slogans, and activities that promote hatred or violence against adherents of other faiths. He advocated for the education of young people to instill respect for human life and the dignity of others, rather than exposing them to messages that incite religious incitement. The goal, he stated, is to ensure that all Nigerians can participate in religious services free from the apprehension of attack or intimidation.

Lawyers should advise clients on the severe legal ramifications of inciting religious violence, especially concerning online content, as security agencies like the DSS and Nigeria Police are being explicitly called upon to investigate and prosecute those involved. This development underscores the heightened scrutiny and potential for criminal charges related to hate speech and threats against religious groups in Nigeria.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Nigeria.