Police arrest man over video inciting religious violence in Zamfara

The arrested suspect, Umar Maradun, wearing a white-and-black striped shirt. Credit: Zamfara State Police Command.

Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command have arrested one Umar Maradun for reportedly chanting statements in a marching exercise, advocating violence against people they described as infidels.

The 22-year-old suspect was seen in a viral video which circulated on social media on Monday, wherein some other youths chanted violence-motivated statements.

The youths, who were dressed in uniforms associated with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalat Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah, chanted for an AK-47 and threatened attacks in Enugu and Jos parts of the country.

Owing to the chants, JIBWIS and Amnesty International called on security agencies to identify and arrest anyone found culpable.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, disclosed Maradun’s arrest.

The FPRO noted that the suspect allegedly made statements capable of “threatening public peace and peaceful coexistence.”

“The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, a 22-year-old from Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in connection with a viral video allegedly containing statements capable of inciting religious violence.

“The video reportedly shows a young man dressed in the uniform of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), allegedly making statements capable of threatening public peace and peaceful coexistence,” the statement partly read.

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The FPRO said the command has begun an investigation into the incident.

Iniedu stated that the Zamfara police command has, among other steps, “activated its intelligence resources to identify those involved, engaged the leadership of JIBWIS at the national and state levels.”

“The organisation’s leadership reportedly disassociated the organisation from the alleged conduct and handed the suspect over to the police,” the statement noted, adding that the suspect will be charged to court.

According to the statement, the Nigeria Police Force stressed its commitment to protecting Nigerians, “irrespective of religious affiliation, and upholding the constitutional right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The Force will take appropriate lawful action against conduct capable of inciting religious hatred, provoking violence or threatening public peace.”

The police urged members of the public to remain calm and desist from further sharing the video or circulating unverified information that could heighten religious tensions or threaten public order.

According to a separate statement by the State Commissioner of Police, A.M. Bello, the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 202, while Maradun and the other youths were on their way to provide security during Friday prayers at a mosque.

The suspect reportedly joined JIBWIS in 2025 and secured admission to study Mass Communication at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.