Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 22-year-old man, Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun, from Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, over a viral video allegedly containing statements capable of inciting religious violence and threatening public peace.
The police said the suspect was arrested following the circulation of a video reportedly showing a young man dressed in the uniform of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), allegedly making inflammatory statements capable of undermining peaceful coexistence.
According to a statement made available on October 27 by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Zamfara State Police Command activated its intelligence resources to identify those involved and commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The statement disclosed that the police also engaged the leadership of JIBWIS at the national and state levels, adding that the organisation reportedly disassociated itself from the alleged conduct and handed the suspect over to the police.
The Force said the investigation was ongoing and that the suspect would be charged before a competent court if sufficient evidence established that an offence had been committed under the applicable law.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens irrespective of their religious affiliations, the police stressed the need to uphold the constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
It warned that appropriate lawful action would be taken against any conduct capable of promoting religious hatred, provoking violence or threatening public peace.
The police also urged members of the public to refrain from further circulating the video or spreading unverified information that could heighten religious tensions or threaten public order.
It called on Nigerians to remain calm and allow investigators to conclude their work, assuring the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property, maintaining public order and promoting peaceful coexistence across the country.
