BREAKING: Police arrest Umar Ibrahim Gandi over viral video calling for AK-47s to attack worshippers in Enugu and Jos
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested Umar Ibrahim Gandi, the man seen in a viral video calling for AK-47 rifles to carry out attacks against Christians in Enugu State and Jos, Plateau State.
Police identified the suspect as a 22-year-old native of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. They say the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, and that he faces allegations of incitement to violence, disturbance of public peace and criminal intimidation. The Commissioner of Police said an investigation is under way and that the suspect will be charged before a court.
In the video, the suspect, wearing the uniform of the JIBWIS (Izala) first-aid group, is heard chanting for rifles to kill people he calls "infidels" during Sunday worship. According to the police, JIBWIS has disassociated itself from his alleged conduct.
His statements raised serious concerns about religious extremism, hate speech and threats to innocent lives, and the video attracted widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians calling on the DSS and the police to identify and arrest him.
Particularly troubling was the presence of young children during the recording, raising questions about the exposure of minors to violent extremist messages.
Nigerians will now expect a thorough investigation and appropriate legal action based on the evidence. Like any suspect, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Nigeria cannot afford to treat public threats of violence against religious communities as ordinary social media content. Nobody should be threatened with death simply because of where they come from or how they worship God.
What do you think? Should individuals who publicly threaten religious violence face prosecution, even when no attack has taken place?
