The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on security agencies to investigate a viral video purportedly showing a man leading a group of youths in chants threatening attacks against Christians in Enugu State and Jos, Plateau State.

The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, reportedly shows the youths participating in a marching exercise while chanting in Hausa and calling for AK-47 rifles to attack people attending church services on Sundays.

The statements attributed to the group have sparked public concern over possible incitement to religious violence, particularly because the chants reportedly refer to targeting people during worship and describe the two locations as places inhabited by non-Muslims.

CAN urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant authorities to establish the authenticity of the recording, identify those involved and determine the circumstances under which it was produced.

The association stressed that the matter should be treated as a security concern rather than dismissed as a religious dispute or ordinary social media controversy.

It also called on Christian and Muslim leaders, parents, teachers and community stakeholders to promote tolerance, respect for human life and peaceful coexistence among young people.

The video has also drawn reactions from human rights organisation Amnesty International Nigeria, which called for an independent investigation into the alleged threats and raised concerns about children being exposed to hateful rhetoric and militarised activities.

Amnesty urged authorities to establish the identities of those responsible, investigate the nature of the youth activities and ensure that minors involved receive appropriate protection and support.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, condemned the statements attributed to the participants and called on security agencies to investigate the incident.

He urged the DSS, police and other relevant bodies to identify anyone found responsible and ensure that appropriate action was taken in accordance with the law.

Another JIBWIS faction, led by Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, also condemned the footage. Its representatives said the alleged chants were unacceptable and should not be encouraged.

Although the uniforms worn by some participants have been linked in media reports to JIBWIS’s First Aid Group, the identities of those featured and the circumstances surrounding the recording have not been independently established. Reports suggesting that the video may have been recorded in 2020 also remain unverified.

The controversy has intensified calls for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine whether the footage is authentic, verify the translation of the chants and establish whether any laws have been violated.

CAN maintained that Nigerians should be able to practise their faith without fear or intimidation, urging authorities to take appropriate preventive measures and hold anyone found culpable accountable under the law.