The National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has called on security agencies to investigate a viral video showing a man in the organisation’s First Aid Group uniform making threats of an attack in Enugu.
In the video, the man is seen taking part in a jogging exercise while making provocative statements and calling for the provision of AK-47 rifles to enable them to travel to Enugu on Sunday and launch an attack.
Reacting to the footage, Sheikh Bala Lau condemned the statements and urged the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to identify those involved and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law.
The JIBWIS leader distanced the organisation from the remarks, saying that threats and calls for violence against any community do not reflect its principles or mission.
He stressed that "wearing the uniform of the JIBWIS First Aid Group or appearing among its members does not automatically establish that an individual is acting on behalf of the organisation or with its authorisation."
Sheikh Bala Lau also raised concerns that the incident might be an attempt by individuals or outside interests to portray the organisation negatively and damage its reputation. He called for a thorough investigation into the identity, affiliations and possible motives of those seen in the video.
The chairman pointed to JIBWIS's recent international conference in Abuja, which brought together Christian leaders, Muslim scholars from different Islamic schools of thought, prominent personalities and participants from various parts of the world.
According to him, the conference was organised to promote interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
He questioned why an organisation that had invested in building relationships across religious and ethnic divides should be linked to statements advocating violence against fellow Nigerians.
JIBWIS, which has operated for about 48 years, says it remains committed to teaching Islamic principles, promoting the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Saw), encouraging moral reform, supporting education and providing humanitarian services.
The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence among people regardless of their religion, ethnicity or geographical background.
JIBWIS chairman calls for probe of viral video threatening attack on Enugu