Katsina youths draw backlash over pro-Iran protest amid local crises
A group of young people in Katsina State has sparked controversy after staging a demonstration in support of Iran, during which they denounced former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The protest, captured in a now-viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed a crowd marching with a massive banner featuring Iran’s Supreme Leader and a map of the country.
The same banner displayed defaced images of Trump and Netanyahu, representing the group’s opposition to both leaders amid heightened Iran-Israel tensions.
The demonstration, reportedly aimed at expressing solidarity with Iran in its ongoing confrontation with Israel, has provoked strong reactions online. Many Nigerians questioned the rationale behind publicly supporting a foreign cause while their own communities face worsening insecurity, poverty, and armed violence.
Critics on social media condemned the protest as misguided and tone-deaf, pointing out that parts of northern Nigeria, including Katsina, are plagued by persistent attacks from bandits and growing economic hardship.
Some of the reactions include:
- @AikhueleHope: “Anytime you see this level of stupidity, know there’s a spiritual force behind it.”
- @Bigguun: “When bandits are killing them weekly, they still find time to stand with Iran? Why not stand up against their own killers?”
- @Sugamite2: “Nigerian politicians are the luckiest people alive. I actually envy them.”
- @DangiwaDon: “Some people still have no clue what’s happening to them.”
Despite the strong online backlash, the protest organizers have not issued any official statement clarifying their motivations. Nonetheless, the incident has reignited debate over priorities among Nigerian youths, with many calling for more focus on addressing domestic challenges rather than involving themselves in international conflicts.
