Authorities Urged to Probe Viral Izala March Video Over Alleged Anti-Christian Chants

Authorities have been urged to launch an independent investigation into a viral video purportedly showing teenagers and children participating in marching drills led by adult coordinators wearing uniforms associated with Jama’atu Izalatu Bidi’a wa’iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS), commonly known as Izala.

The call follows allegations that some participants chanted slogans demanding AK-47 rifles to attack Christians on Sundays in Enugu and Jos, raising concerns about the possible exposure of minors to religious hatred, violent rhetoric and extremist ideologies.

The statement calling for the investigation described the reported chants as disturbing and warned against the manipulation of children through activities that could promote religious intolerance and violence.

It urged security agencies and relevant child-protection authorities to establish the authenticity of the footage, identify where and when it was recorded, investigate the adults directing the drills and determine the context in which the alleged chants were made.

The statement also called for a review of the curricula and activities of youth programmes potentially connected to the incident, insisting that any individuals found to have encouraged violence or exploited minors should be held accountable in accordance with the law.

It further urged authorities to ensure that children involved in the activities receive appropriate protection, counselling and educational support where necessary, rather than being subjected to treatment that could further endanger their welfare.

The appeal stressed that religious and youth organisations must not expose children to messages encouraging attacks against people on the basis of their faith.

It also warned that the alleged conduct, if established, could undermine peaceful religious coexistence and raise serious concerns about the protection of children’s rights and freedom of religion.

Citing Nigeria’s Child Rights Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the statement maintained that children must be protected from violence, exploitation and harmful forms of indoctrination.

It called on the government to ensure that any investigation is evidence-based, impartial and guided by the need to protect minors while establishing individual responsibility.

The statement also emphasised that accountability should be based on verified evidence rather than assumptions about an entire religious community or organisation.

As of the information contained in the statement, the video’s authenticity, the identity of those involved, the circumstances surrounding the alleged chants and any formal response from JIBWIS had not been independently established.

The authorities were urged to investigate the incident promptly, protect the children involved and take appropriate legal action if the allegations are substantiated.