POLICE ARREST MAN OVER VIRAL VIDEO ALLEGEDLY INCITING KILLING OF CHRISTIANS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, over a viral video allegedly showing him chanting a song calling for the killing of Christians.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended by leaders of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) before being handed over to the police for investigation.
The state Commissioner of Police, A.M. Bello, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Gusau, saying the command had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the police, the viral video showed a young man wearing the uniform of JIBWIS, Zamfara State chapter, alongside pupils from two Islamic schools in Maradun Local Government Area.
Bello said preliminary findings indicated that the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, while the suspect was reportedly heading to Aliyu Ibn Abi Thalib Mosque, where he and others were said to have provided security during Friday prayers and preaching.
The schools identified in connection with the video were Nurul Islam Islamiya and Akidatul Sahiha Islamiya, both located in Maradun, approximately 120 kilometres from Gusau.
The police said the video allegedly contained the statement, “Give us rifles to go and kill Christians,” raising concerns about possible religious incitement.
Following the video’s emergence on social media, the command said it deployed intelligence resources to identify those involved and engaged JIBWIS leaders at both the national and state levels.
Bello added that the organisation had distanced itself from the suspect’s alleged actions and the content of the video.
The police identified the suspect as a Nigerian citizen born on September 15, 2004, and a native of Maradun Local Government Area. He reportedly attended Mualledi Model Primary School and Government Day Secondary School, both in Maradun.
According to the command, Maradun joined JIBWIS in 2025 and recently secured admission to study for a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.
The commissioner said investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction upon their conclusion.
He noted that the proposed charges could relate to alleged incitement to violence, disturbance of public peace and criminal intimidation under Sections 77, 78 and 380(b) of the Penal Code Law applicable in Zamfara State, subject to the evidence gathered and the applicable law.
The command condemned actions capable of promoting religious hatred, threatening communities or undermining peaceful coexistence.
It also assured residents of all religious affiliations that the police remained committed to protecting lives and property and upholding citizens’ constitutional rights without discrimination.
The police urged religious leaders, parents, guardians, school authorities and community stakeholders to promote tolerance, mutual respect and responsible conduct, particularly among young people.
Residents were also advised to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from actions that could heighten religious tensions or disrupt public order.
The incident has renewed concerns about inflammatory religious content circulating on social media and its potential impact on relations between religious communities.
JIBWIS leaders had also condemned the viral video on Monday and called on security agencies to investigate the matter.
The police reiterated their commitment to conducting a thorough investigation, enforcing the law and maintaining peace and security across Zamfara State.
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