Shehu Sani Says JIBWIS Boys Chanting For AK-47 Are Not Terrorists
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has defended Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, JIBWIS, following public outrage over a viral video showing boys chanting lyrics allegedly threatening attacks on churchgoers in Enugu State.
Sani described the organisation as a group of well-behaved volunteers dedicated to humanitarian and moral causes, dismissing allegations portraying its members as terrorists.
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday, the former lawmaker wrote:
“JIBWIS are not killers. They are not terrorists. They have been a well-behaved, uniformed group of volunteers supporting humanitarian and moral causes. The allegations against them are false and misleading.”
The viral video shows a man leading a group of boys, members of the First Aid Group, FAG, the humanitarian arm of JIBWIS locally known as ‘Yan Agaji, as they march down a street singing in Hausa.
Translated lyrics from the footage describe Enugu as a land of “infidels” and include sounds imitating gunfire, with the chant calling for an AK-47 rifle to enable the singer to travel to Enugu and open fire on people attending church services on Sunday.
The uniform worn by the individuals has been associated with JIBWIS First Aid Group.
The video has triggered calls for security agencies to identify those involved and investigate the alleged threats, particularly given the reference to a possible attack on churchgoers in Enugu.
Sani’s defence comes as JIBWIS National Chairman, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, disowned the video and asked DSS and Police to arrest those in it, while Amnesty International and the Northern Christian Association, NCA, have demanded probe.
