Zamfara Police Quiz JIBWIS Member Over Viral Video

The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested and commenced investigation into a viral video in which a young man in the uniform of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) was allegedly heard chanting, “give us rifles to go and kill Christians.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP A.M. Bello, disclosed this on Tuesday in Gusau during a press briefing on the incident.

Bello said the command was alerted to the video circulating on social media, where the suspect was seen in company of pupils from two Islamiyya schools in Maradun Local Government Area.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, while the suspect was on his way to Aliyu Ibn Abi Thalib Mosque, where he and others were said to have provided security during Friday prayers.

He gave the names of the schools as Nurul Islam Islamiyya and Akidatul Sahiha Islamiyya, both in Maradun LGA, about 120 kilometres from Gusau.

According to him, the command immediately engaged the leadership of JIBWIS at national and state levels, and the organisation disassociated itself from the suspect’s conduct.

He said the suspect was thereafter apprehended by JIBWIS and handed over to the police.

The CP identified the suspect as Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, a native of Maradun LGA, born on September 15, 2004.

He said the suspect attended Mualledi Model Primary School, Maradun and Government Day Secondary School, Maradun, joined JIBWIS in 2025 and recently secured admission to study Mass Communication at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.

Bello said upon conclusion of investigation, the suspect would be charged to court for alleged offences of 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.

He reassured citizens of all religious affiliations of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and safeguarding the constitutional right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

He condemned any act capable of promoting religious hatred or threatening peaceful coexistence and urged religious leaders, parents, guardians and school authorities to promote tolerance and mutual respect, especially among young people.

He also appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from acts capable of escalating religious tension.