The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has called for an urgent security investigation into a viral video allegedly showing members of the JIBWIS First Aid Youth Group making threats against Christians in Jos and Enugu and calling for the use of AK-47 rifles.
The organisation warned that religious incitement and inflammatory rhetoric could heighten tensions and trigger further violence, urging security agencies to establish the authenticity and circumstances of the video and prosecute anyone found culpable.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NCYP National Chairman, Isaac Abrak, condemned the alleged threats, describing them as disturbing and calling for a lawful response to prevent an escalation of religious tensions.
Abrak said religious extremism, hate speech and incitement to violence had contributed to insecurity in Northern Nigeria, where Christians and Muslims continued to suffer deaths and displacement arising from terrorism and banditry.
He urged security agencies to investigate the footage, identify those responsible for any unlawful statements and take appropriate legal action where necessary.
The NCYP chairman also appealed to Islamic scholars, Muslim leaders and traditional rulers to condemn attempts to exploit religion to promote hatred, intolerance and violence.
He urged Christian leaders and communities to remain calm, resist provocation and reject reprisals, insisting that the authorities should be allowed to handle the matter through established legal channels.
Abrak warned that failure to address inflammatory rhetoric could undermine efforts to rebuild peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims after years of religious and communal tensions.
Beyond the security implications, he said persistent insecurity had damaged Northern Nigeria’s economy, contributing to the decline of once-thriving textile factories, confectionery industries, tanneries and other businesses.
According to him, business closures and economic disruption have contributed to job losses and worsening poverty across the region.
The organisation maintained that sustainable peace and economic recovery would remain difficult to achieve without mutual respect, religious tolerance and accountability for those who promote violence.
It cautioned against allowing the alleged actions of individuals to jeopardise the future of communities whose livelihoods and development depend on peaceful coexistence.
“Northern Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace, security or economic prosperity without mutual respect and religious tolerance,” the statement said.
The NCYP urged residents to remain calm while investigations proceed, warning that retaliatory actions could endanger lives and deepen existing religious divisions.
It reiterated that anyone found to have engaged in unlawful incitement should be held accountable under the law, stressing that the protection of lives and the preservation of peace must take precedence over religious and communal differences.
The statement did not independently establish the authenticity of the viral video or confirm whether the individuals featured were acting on behalf of the JIBWIS First Aid Youth Group.
