Video threatens Christians in Enugu; Amnesty calls for investigation
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Amnesty International Nigeria and officials of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah are calling for an investigation into a video in which children and teenagers chant threats against Christians in Enugu. The human rights organisation wants an urgent, independent investigation into these calls for religious violence, according to Punch.
Amnesty International Nigeria and officials of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) are calling for an investigation into a viral video in which children and teenagers chant calls for AK-47s to attack Christians in Enugu and Jos, in Plateau State. The video shows a young man leading marching drills and participants wearing uniforms associated with ’Yan Agaji, JIBWIS’s volunteer first-aid service.
According to the translation accompanying the footage, the slogans refer to attacks on worshippers during Sunday services and describe Enugu as a land of “infidels”. Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the authorities to launch an immediate and independent investigation. In a statement published on Facebook on Monday, the organisation condemned the indoctrination of children through hate speech and violence.
Amnesty is calling on security agencies to identify those who organised the drills, establish the video’s origin and filming location, and examine the slogans and programmes of activities for young people. The organisation is also calling for protection against radicalisation and psychological and educational support for the children concerned. It wants those responsible for promoting intolerance to be held to account.
The organisation cites Nigeria’s Child Rights Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protect minors from violence, hate speech and recruitment or training for paramilitary activities. The call follows the circulation of a video showing calls to attack Christians in Nigeria, which was already reported on 26 October.
