NCA demands probe into viral video threatening to kill Christians in Enugu, Jos
The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has condemned a viral video purportedly showing some youths suspected to be Muslims chanting in Hausa and demanding AK-47 rifles to travel to Enugu State to kill people they described as infidels, describing the alleged remarks as barbaric, shameful and a serious security concern.
The association said that while it would not draw conclusions until the authenticity of the video had been established, the content was disturbing and raised questions about the response of security agencies to public expressions of religious hatred and alleged threats of violence.
In a statement issued to journalists on Monday, NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said it was increasingly concerning that some individuals appeared to make hateful remarks and issue threats without facing security checks or appropriate scrutiny.
He described the alleged chants as unacceptable, stressing that the matter should not be treated merely as a religious controversy but as a potential security issue requiring the attention of relevant authorities.
“While we will not conclude until the authenticity of the video is verified, it now seems that some individuals have become so powerful that they can make hateful remarks and go scot-free without any security checks.
“This is no longer a religious issue but a security matter. It is shameful and must not be encouraged,” he said.
The Northern Christian leader urged both Christians and Muslim leaders to embrace the moral responsibility of raising their children with values that promote respect for human life, tolerance, discipline and peaceful coexistence.
“What a barbaric way of doing things! Both Christians and Muslims should embrace the moral responsibility of training their children. This is not good for our country. What an indoctrination!” he queried.
The NCA chairman warned that the promotion of religious hatred and the apparent encouragement of violence against people of other faiths could undermine national unity and make peaceful coexistence increasingly difficult.
He cautioned that if adherents of other religions continued to display similar attitudes towards people of different beliefs, building and sustaining a united nation would become a difficult task.
Hayab stressed that religious teachings should encourage compassion, respect and peaceful relations among citizens rather than indoctrinate young people into hatred or hostility towards others.
He urged parents, religious institutions and community leaders to pay greater attention to the values being imparted to children and young people, warning that teachings that promote intolerance could threaten the country’s social fabric.
The NCA chairman maintained that Nigeria’s religious diversity should serve as a foundation for mutual understanding and national cohesion rather than become a source of intimidation, threats or violence.
He reiterated that every Nigerian, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, had the right to live and worship without fear, adding that no individual or group should be allowed to threaten others because of their faith.
Hayab consequently called on security agencies to investigate the video and establish its authenticity, including the identities of the youths featured, the circumstances surrounding the recording and whether the statements attributed to them had been accurately translated.
He urged the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and take appropriate action in accordance with the law if the allegations were substantiated.
The association also cautioned against dismissing the footage as ordinary social media content, noting that alleged threats involving firearms and the targeting of people on religious grounds deserved serious security attention.
The NCA reaffirmed its commitment to religious freedom, peaceful coexistence, justice and the protection of all Nigerians, insisting that threats of violence must not be tolerated and that no one should be targeted because of their religious beliefs.
The association called on the relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the video and take necessary preventive measures to ensure that threats of religious violence do not escalate into actual attacks.
