Hundreds of members of an Islamic movement in Kano State took to the streets on Saturday, protesting U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and his warnings of potential military action.
The demonstrators, organized under the banner of a local Islamic group, marched through key areas of the ancient city, holding placards that read: “We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria,” “There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria” directly challenging Trump’s claims and “America wants to control our resources.” Protesters also chanted slogans condemning imperialism and resource exploitation, reflecting growing tensions between Nigeria and the U.S.
Photos from the rally, showing crowds waving flags and wearing green attire symbolizing Islamic solidarity, were widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Hon. Nuhu Sada, Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the Kaduna State House of Assembly in the upcoming 2025 bye-election for Zaria Kewaye Constituency.
In his post, Sada wrote: “Thousands of people in Kano State have come out in a protest to strongly condemn the remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump about attacking Nigeria. What is your opinion?”
Trump’s comments, made during a White House address earlier this week, labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations, citing violence against Christians in the north. He warned: “If the Nigerian government doesn’t stop this genocide against Christians, the United States may have no choice but to intervene — and that could mean military action to protect innocents.”
The remarks have sparked widespread criticism in Nigeria, with many accusing the U.S. of exaggerating tensions to justify possible intervention in Africa’s most populous nation, rich in oil and natural resources.
The Kano protest follows a similar demonstration in Lagos last week, where participants rallied under the slogan, “Nigerians united against U.S. threat of military invasion,” chanting: “Leave us alone, oh. Leave us alone. America, leave us alone.” Reports from PUNCH Online described the Lagos protest as energetic, with youth groups and civil society organizations joining in solidarity.
The Federal Government quickly dismissed Trump’s claims as baseless. At a press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said: “These claims grossly misrepresent Nigeria’s security and religious harmony. Our nation is committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, and we reject any narrative that paints us as a failed state warranting external boots on the ground.”
Sada’s X post quickly went viral, drawing thousands of views and igniting a wave of polarized reactions online. Social media users were divided, with some praising the protesters’ patriotism and others criticizing the demonstration as misguided or extremist-linked.
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