Reaction as Northern youths stage pro-Iran protest

A group of youths in Katsina State has faced criticism online after staging a protest in support of Iran, while openly condemning former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The demonstration, which was captured in a viral video and shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed a large crowd parading through the streets with a giant banner bearing the image of Iran’s Supreme Leader and a map of the country. Also featured on the banner were defaced images of Trump and Netanyahu, symbolizing the group’s rejection of their leadership amid the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions.

The protest was reportedly organized to show solidarity with Iran in its face-off with Israel, a conflict in which the United States has been widely seen as a strong Israeli ally.

However, the unusual protest has not gone down well with many Nigerians online. Netizens took to social media to express outrage and disbelief, questioning the logic behind protesting international conflicts while the country continues to grapple with its own domestic crises.

Read some netizens’ reactions below;

@AikhueleHope: “Anytime u see a post of this stupidity, be confident there is a spiritual ful”l behind it.”

@Bigguun: “When bandits dey finish them weekly they still get mind to stand with Iran? How about they stand for themselves against the people killing them instead?”

@Sugamite2: “Nigerian Politicians are the luckiest people on earth. I envy them tbh.”

@DangiwaDon: “Some people never know wetin the do dem.”

@DangiwaDon: “Some people never know wetin the do dem.”

The protest comes at a time when the Northern parts of Nigeria has witnessed frequent attacks by bandits, rising insecurity, and economic hardship—issues critics say should be the immediate concern of the youth, not foreign conflicts.

While organizers of the protest have yet to publicly state their motives beyond what was seen in the footage, the online backlash suggests a growing frustration among Nigerians over what they see as a lack of focus and urgency on pressing national matters.