The National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has condemned a viral video showing a man wearing the organisation’s First Aid Group uniform allegedly calling for the provision of AK-47 rifles to enable a group to travel to Enugu and launch an attack.
Bala Lau described the statements in the video as disturbing and urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to investigate the incident, identify those involved and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Shehu Giwa on Monday, the JIBWIS leader dissociated the organisation from the alleged threats, stressing that calls for violence, intimidation and attacks against any community were contrary to its principles and objectives.
He also cautioned against assuming that the individuals involved were acting on behalf of JIBWIS simply because they appeared in the organisation’s First Aid Group uniform.
According to him, the circumstances surrounding the video, including the identities, affiliations and motives of those involved, should be thoroughly investigated.
The chairman further expressed concern that the incident might be an attempt by individuals or external interests to misrepresent JIBWIS and damage its reputation.
Bala Lau cited the organisation’s efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence, recalling that it recently organised an international conference in Abuja attended by Christian leaders, Muslim scholars from different Islamic traditions and other participants from within and outside Nigeria.
He said the conference was organised to promote mutual understanding, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and backgrounds.
The JIBWIS leader questioned the alleged association of the organisation with calls for violence, given what he described as its longstanding commitment to fostering understanding across religious and ethnic divides.
He added that, for approximately 48 years since its establishment, the organisation had focused on Islamic teachings, the promotion of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, moral reformation, education and humanitarian services.
Bala Lau reiterated that JIBWIS remained committed to peaceful coexistence, regardless of religious, ethnic or geographical differences, and called for a comprehensive investigation into the viral video.
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