The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, has called on the police to arrest and prosecute everyone involved in a viral video allegedly showing youths threatening to kill Christians in Zamfara State.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Thursday, Hayab commended the police for arresting a suspect linked to the video but insisted that everyone involved must face justice, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.

“It is one thing to have arrested him. It is one thing to have paraded him. And it is another thing to follow every due process until justice is seen to have been done,” he said.

Hayab also commended the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) for handing the suspect over to the police.

Police Must Investigate Everyone Involved

Hayab urged the police to investigate everyone who allegedly participated in or supported the threats, warning against protecting suspects because of shared religious or regional identities.

“If he causes harm to Christians today, he will eventually cause harm to you tomorrow, assuming you are thinking he is your brother,” he said.

He also questioned claims that the video had been doctored, saying the suspect allegedly posted it on his Facebook page before removing it.

“If it was a doctored video, then who was the young man that was arrested?” Hayab asked.

Hayab Urges Christians Not To Be Intimidated

The Christian leader urged Christians in northern Nigeria not to allow the video to discourage them from practising their faith, calling on the government to ensure that those responsible for threats face the law.

He also warned against religious indoctrination, accusing some preachers of exploiting educational gaps to turn young people against other religious communities.

Hayab acknowledged that several Muslim clerics had condemned the video and said Christian and Muslim leaders were engaging in dialogue to address mutual grievances.

“We want to talk about those things that make Christians feel bad about Muslims. We want to talk about those things that make Muslims feel bad about Christians,” he said.

He urged religious leaders to sustain dialogue and promote mutual respect, stressing that national progress depends on peaceful coexistence and the protection of every Nigerian. (AriseNews TV, excluding headline)