Zamfara:  Man in viral video calling for killing of Christians nabbed

The Zamfara State Police Command Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old man seen in a viral video allegedly chanting ‘give us rifles to go and kill Christians’ whereas dressed within the uniform of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS).

The Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Command, CP A.M Bello, acknowledged this at a press briefing held on the command headquarters in Gusau.

CP Bello stated the eye of the command was drawn to the video circulating on social media through which the suspect, wearing JIBWIS uniform, was seen in firm of pupils from two Islamic colleges in Maradun native authorities space.

The CP stated the command instantly deployed its intelligence assets to establish these concerned and set up circumstances surrounding the incident.

Preliminary findings, he stated, indicated that the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, 2026, whereas the suspect was reportedly on his solution to Aliyu Ibn Abi Thalib Mosque, the place he and others had been stated to have offered safety throughout Friday prayers and preaching.

The colleges recognized in reference to the video are Nurul Islam Islamiya and Akidatul Sahiha Islamiya, each situated in Maradun native authorities space, about 120 kilometres from Gusau, the state capital.

The commissioner stated the command engaged the management of JIBWIS at each nationwide and state ranges following the incident, and the organisation disassociated itself from the suspect’s conduct and the content material of the video.

“The suspect was subsequently apprehended by JIBWIS and handed over to the Zamfara state Police command for investigation,” CP Bello acknowledged.

The suspect has been recognized as Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, a local of Maradun LGA, born on September 15, 2004. He attended Mualledi Model Primary School, Maradun and Government Day Secondary School, Maradun, joined JIBWIS in 2025 and just lately secured admission to review Mass Communication on the Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.

CP Bello stated the command has commenced a complete investigation into the incident, including that upon conclusion, the suspect will probably be charged earlier than a court docket of competent jurisdiction.