A northern Islamic cleric has triggered widespread outrage after a viral video surfaced in which he places a ₦1 million bounty on the head of an unnamed Christian cleric, openly calling for his beheading and warning that he does not care if the act plunges the region into chaos.

In the footage, reviewed by SaharaReporters, the unidentified cleric is seen brandishing cash while inciting members of the public to carry out the killing. “I swear to God, I promise ₦1 million to whoever beheads this man,” he declares, suggesting the reward could be increased if deemed too small. The cleric states he will not retreat from his resolve, adding: “We have nothing to lose if after beheading this pastor Arewa plunges into chaos.”

The intended victim and the precise circumstances that led to the threat remain unclear at the time of this report. A woman who appears in the video criticises the silence of security agencies and calls on the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene immediately.

In response, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, have launched a probe into the video to determine its authenticity and assess possible violations of laws against hate speech and incitement.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified content that could escalate tensions.

As of this report, no official statement has been issued by the DSS or other relevant authorities.