… DSS, Police, others keep mum
By Chucks Nwonye
There is angst and uproar across social media platforms in Nigeria following the emergence of a video showing a man described as a Fulani jihadist openly calling on his members to ignore government authority and target “infidels.”
In the viral video, the man who was speaking in Hausa language, reportedly referred to Christians and moderate Hausa Muslims as infidels, declaring that he is forming an organized group to carry out the mission.
“No one will call you a terrorist for killing an infidel,” he says in the video.
The video, which has been widely circulated on X, Facebook and WhatsApp, has sparked outrage, fear and heated debate among Nigerians, with many calling on security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute the suspect.
The clip comes amid rising concerns over insecurity, religious intolerance and extremist preaching in parts of the country.
Reactions have continued to trail the video, with many Nigerians expressing shock over what they described as audacity and impunity.
One user wrote, “It’s the audacity for me……. If the law enforcement agencies allow this slide then Nigeria is cooked…..the beginning of the end.”
Another user, Olowonyo, said the failure of law enforcement to act would spell doom for the country.
Several users called on the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to act swiftly.
One commentator wrote, “@OfficialDSSNG will never have intelligence on something like this. Their job under this administration is a political witch hunt and the silencing of the common man.”
Another user, Osso Sensei, blamed government inaction for the rise in extremist rhetoric.
“Islam is not the problem. Our government is the problem. If they do what they’re supposed to do, idiots like this will all be in jail. When there’s no consequence for such actions, it will continue to fester,” he said.
Some users warned that ignoring such threats could lead to escalation.
“We must not ignore this. They have finally decided on what they are going to do. We have to decide on what to do,” a user identified as Olukayode said.
Another commentator, Dinchi, said, “They won’t arrest him now till he gets out hand by actually doing what he is saying here.”
“If this man is not in jail by now then Nigeria is gone no saving it,” Lawal wrote.
Others called for self-defense and ethnic consciousness, while some cautioned against generalizing the entire religion because of the action of an extremist.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Department of State Services has issued an official statement on the viral video, and the identity and location of the man in the video are yet to be officially confirmed.
A cross section of commentators have however urged the Federal Government to treat the video as a matter of urgent national security concern, investigate its authenticity and ensure that any form of incitement to violence is dealt with in accordance with the law to prevent escalation of religious tension in the country.
