Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to launch an immediate and independent investigation into a viral video showing children and teenagers participating in marching drills led by adults wearing uniforms associated with Jama’atu Izalatu Bidi’a wa Iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS).
In a press release, the human rights organisation expressed concern over the video, which allegedly shows the young participants chanting slogans demanding AK-47 rifles to attack people described as infidels in Enugu and Jos on a Sunday.
The organisation described the chants as a disturbing example of children being manipulated and indoctrinated with violence and hatred, warning that such activities could deepen religious intolerance and encourage violence.
It urged the authorities to investigate the organisers of the drills, establish the source and location of the footage, and examine the content of the slogans and curricula used in the youth activities.
Amnesty International also called for appropriate protection measures for the minors involved, including psychological and educational support to shield them from radicalisation.
It further urged the government to hold accountable any individuals or religious groups found to be using children to promote intolerance or infringe on religious freedom.
The organisation stressed that protecting children from hateful rhetoric, militarised drills and extremist indoctrination was an obligation of the state under national and international law.
It cited the Child Rights Act and international human rights instruments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as frameworks guaranteeing children’s protection from violence, hate speech, and recruitment or training in paramilitary activities.
According to Amnesty International, using structured youth programmes or religious training groups to promote hostile ideologies threatens public safety and undermines freedom of religion.
The organisation called on the authorities to take urgent steps to establish the facts surrounding the video and ensure that children are protected from activities that could expose them to violence and intolerance.
