The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday condemned a viral video that shows a young man leading a group of boys in chants calling for AK‑47 rifles to be used against Christians during Sunday worship in the southeastern city of Enugu and the north‑central city of Jos. CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh described the threats as “chilling and unacceptable” and demanded an urgent investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies.
In a statement, Okoh urged authorities to determine the origin of the video, identify the individuals involved and establish whether any persons or groups organised, financed or facilitated the alleged incitement to religious violence. He warned that the chants should not be dismissed as “mere chants or harmless displays of youthful exuberance,” insisting that they require “urgent attention and decisive action.”
The archbishop expressed particular alarm over the apparent participation of children and young people in the threats, saying that exposing youths to or encouraging religious hatred “raises serious concerns that must not be ignored.” He called on security agencies to conduct a thorough probe, hold anyone found culpable accountable under the law, and assess any credible security risks to protect churches and worshippers in Enugu, Jos and elsewhere.
While the leadership of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) has reportedly disavowed the video, Okoh stressed that the facts must be independently established before drawing conclusions about institutional involvement. He added that a denial of responsibility by any organisation should not prevent investigators from tracing the identities of those involved, the video’s source and any parties that may have encouraged or financed the threats.
Okoh concluded by urging religious leaders across Nigeria to unequivocally reject teachings, slogans and activities that promote hatred or violence, and called on the government to demonstrate “through concrete action” that intimidation on religious grounds will not be tolerated. He appealed to Christians to remain calm, vigilant and law‑abiding while investigations proceed, reaffirming CAN’s commitment to justice, religious freedom and peaceful coexistence for all Nigerians.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
