A video circulating online has sparked concern after a group of young people, reportedly members of the Islamic movement Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), also known as Izala, were seen jogging in formation while chanting demands for AK-47 rifles and threatening to attack people in Enugu and Jos.
In the footage, the youths repeatedly sing, “Give us AK-47,” while declaring their intention to travel to Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, and Jos, the capital of Plateau State.
One of the speakers calls for a rifle to travel to Enugu and shoot worshippers on a Sunday, describing the city as a “land of infidels” and mimicking gunfire. He later calls for another rifle to go to Jos, where he threatens to “kill more infidels”.
The group is also heard chanting, “We should go to Enugu,” followed by the repeated phrase, “Where infidels are,” and references to Sunday. Other parts of the recording feature the youths singing, “While they are celebrating,” “While they are chatting,” and “I will give them fire!”
The chants continue with rhythmic repetitions of “Rudu rududu” and further demands for AK-47 rifles before the group turns its attention to Jos, singing, “We should go to Jos.”
The footage has raised concerns over possible religiously motivated violence and threats to residents of the two cities. However, the circumstances surrounding the recording and the identities of those featured have not been independently established.
JIBWIS, commonly known as Izala, is a Salafi Islamic movement founded in Jos, Nigeria, in February 1978 by Sheikh Isma’ila Idris.
