Nigerian Police Arrest Man Over Video Threatening Religious Violence in Zamfara

Nigerian police arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly making statements in a viral video that incited religious violence, while a controversial Islamic cleric was shot dead in Katsina state.

Arrest Over Viral Video Inciting Religious Violence

Operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command arrested Umar Maradun after he appeared in a viral video circulating on social media. [1] The 22-year-old from Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State was seen in footage showing youths dressed in uniforms associated with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bidi’a Wa’ikamatus Sunnah chanting statements that advocated violence against people described as infidels. [1] The video showed the youths chanting for an AK-47 and threatening attacks in Enugu and Jos. [1] JIBWIS leadership and Amnesty International called on security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible. [1] The suspect allegedly made statements capable of threatening public peace and peaceful coexistence. [1]

Police Statement and Investigation

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the arrest of Umar Ibrahim Gandi Maradun in a statement issued at Force Headquarters in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer Ani Iniedu. [1] The statement noted that the video reportedly shows a young man dressed in JIBWIS uniform allegedly making statements capable of threatening public peace and peaceful coexistence. [1] The Zamfara police command activated its intelligence resources to identify those involved and engaged the leadership of JIBWIS at the national and state levels. [1] The organisation’s leadership disassociated itself from the alleged conduct and handed the suspect over to the police. [1] The suspect will be charged to court. [1] The Nigeria Police Force stressed its commitment to protecting Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliation and upholding the constitutional right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. [1] The Force will take appropriate lawful action against conduct capable of inciting religious hatred, provoking violence or threatening public peace. [1] The police urged members of the public to remain calm and desist from further sharing the video or circulating unverified information that could heighten religious tensions. [1]

Murder of Islamic Cleric in Katsina

Two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and shot Yahaya Masussuka outside his home in the town of Dutsin-Ma in Katsina state as he was saying goodbye to visitors. [2] The 47-year-old preacher and one of his guests were rushed to hospital but both were pronounced dead by the attending doctor. [2] It is not clear why Masussuka was targeted, but the cleric had received death threats on social media. [2] He posted videos in which he rejected some elements of mainstream Islam, including what happens to people after their death. [2] Masussuka based his teachings mainly on the Quran, questioned some of the hadiths, and did not believe that the dead were reawakened and questioned. [2] He was once jailed for nine months because he teased some respected scholars over their belief in this hadith and other teachings. [2]

Cleric's Background and Peace Advocacy

Yahaya Masussuka began preaching at the age of 13 in Quranic schools. [2] He later attended Al-Azhar University in Egypt and went to Oman for further studies. [2] At his home he had a studio where he recorded videos of his teachings for broadcast on social media. [2] The cleric was outspoken about violent extremism and radicalisation and openly advocated for interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. [2] Nigeria's Network for Good Governance and Transparency honoured him with a Peace Ambassador Award last year. [2] Six other prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered over the last two decades in northern Nigeria. [2]

U.S. Immigration Fraud Scheme Sentencing

Parth Nayi of Illinois was sentenced to two years in federal prison for participating in hundreds of staged armed robberies at small businesses and eateries in and around Chicago. [3] He helped coach the supposed victims through plans to apply for U visas in exchange for cash. [3] Thousands of people posing as crime victims paid Nayi to participate in the scheme. [3] Purported victims paid Nayi as much as $30,000 to take part in the staged robberies. [3] Nayi and alleged co-conspirator Kewon Young organized and participated in staged robberies of shops and bodegas. [3] During one robbery a store employee was critically injured by a gunshot fired by one of the alleged assailants. [3]

Broader Context of Recent Incidents

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed it will take appropriate lawful action against conduct capable of inciting religious hatred. [1] The murder of Yahaya Masussuka follows the deaths of six other prominent Muslim preachers over the last two decades in northern Nigeria. [2] The U.S. Department of Justice case against Parth Nayi involved more than a dozen locations used in the scheme, including businesses outside Illinois. [3] Investigations into the viral video remain underway with the suspect expected to face court proceedings. [1] Authorities in Katsina continue to examine the circumstances of the shooting that killed Masussuka and his guest. [2]

What to watch next: Police have begun an investigation into the video incident and plan to charge the suspect in court while separate inquiries examine the murder of the Katsina cleric and related threats.