HURIWA Urges DSS, IGP to Probe Song Threatening Attack on Christians in Enugu

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate a song allegedly threatening an armed attack on Christians in Enugu State and prosecute anyone found culpable.

In a press statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026, the association described the material as a serious security concern, urging security agencies to establish its origin, identify those responsible for its production and circulation, and assess the credibility of the alleged threat.

According to HURIWA, the song contains lyrics that appear to promote religiously motivated violence, including references to an AK-47 rifle, a planned journey to Enugu to target people described as “infidels” during a Sunday religious celebration, and sounds imitating gunfire.

The association warned that material threatening violence against people because of their religious beliefs should not be dismissed as entertainment, political rhetoric or an expression of frustration.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, said security agencies should investigate whether the song was part of a broader attempt to incite religious hostility, intimidate Christian communities or encourage attacks against innocent citizens.

He urged the DSS and police to act impartially, stressing that anyone found to have committed an offence should be held accountable regardless of their religious affiliation or political connections.

The association maintained that freedom of expression and religion did not extend to threatening murder or encouraging violence against people on the basis of their beliefs. It added that Nigerians must be able to worship without fear of targeted attacks.

However, HURIWA cautioned against using the alleged song to stigmatise an entire religious community, insisting that investigations should focus on the individuals responsible and any networks found to be promoting or facilitating violence.

The rights group also called for a wider national discussion on religious extremism, constitutional governance, criminal law enforcement and the protection of fundamental rights across Nigeria.

It further advocated a review of Nigeria’s federal arrangement and the relationship between constitutional guarantees, state-level legal frameworks and the protection of citizens’ rights, saying any such debate should prioritise national security, equal citizenship, religious freedom and the rule of law.

HURIWA said the immediate priority should be to establish the facts surrounding the material, prevent any potential attack and ensure that criminal charges are brought where sufficient admissible evidence exists.

The association urged security agencies to respond promptly and transparently to reassure the public that threats of religiously motivated violence would be investigated and addressed in accordance with the law.

As of the time of the statement, HURIWA had called for an investigation; the statement did not establish who produced or circulated the song, whether the alleged threat was credible, or whether security agencies had opened a formal investigation.

The statement was signed by Onwubiko on behalf of HURIWA on October 26, 2026.