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The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, over a viral video in which he was allegedly heard chanting a song calling for the killing of Christians.
The Commissioner of Police, A. M. Bello, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the suspect was seen in the video wearing the uniform of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Zamfara State chapter.
According to the police, preliminary findings indicate that the video was recorded on Friday, October 23, while Maradun was reportedly on his way to Aliyu Ibn Abi Thalib Mosque in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was allegedly in the company of pupils from two Islamic schools and was said to have been involved in providing security during Friday prayers and preaching at the mosque.
The video reportedly captured him chanting words that included, “Give us rifles to go and kill Christians”, prompting public concern and a police investigation.
Bello said the command deployed its intelligence resources to identify those involved and establish the circumstances surrounding the recording.
The police commissioner identified the two schools linked to the incident as Nurul Islam Islamiya and Akidatul Sahiha Islamiya, both located in Maradun, about 120 kilometres from Gusau, the state capital.
He said the police had also engaged JIBWIS leaders at the national and state levels following the circulation of the video.
According to Bello, the organisation distanced itself from the suspect’s alleged conduct and the message contained in the recording.
“The suspect was subsequently apprehended by JIBWIS and handed over to the Zamfara State Police Command for investigation,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that preliminary information showed Maradun attended Mualledi Model Primary School and Government Day Secondary School, both in Maradun.
He reportedly joined JIBWIS in 2025 and recently gained admission to study Mass Communication at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara.
Bello said a comprehensive investigation had commenced and that the suspect would be charged in court upon its conclusion for alleged offences including incitement to violence, disturbance of public peace and criminal intimidation.
The police did not disclose whether other individuals seen in the video had been arrested.
The command’s investigation is expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the recording and determine whether any other persons were involved.
