Hundreds of members of a Muslim group known as the Shiite movement and their supporters marched through the streets of Kano on Saturday to denounce recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of allowing a “Christian genocide” and threatened possible military action.
Videos circulating online showed protesters holding placards bearing Trump’s image and chanting anti-U.S. slogans. The demonstrators condemned his remarks as false and inflammatory, saying they could deepen religious tensions in Nigeria.
“There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria,” some of the placards read, while most of the chants were rendered in Hausa.
The rally, which began at the Kano Central Mosque and ended at Sabon Gari, was conducted under tight security supervision and remained peaceful throughout.
Trump had last week placed Nigeria on America’s list of Countries of Particular Concern, alleging systematic persecution of Christians and accusing the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to widespread atrocities.
He also ordered the Pentagon to explore intervention options if Abuja failed to act—an announcement that has sparked diplomatic unease and domestic outrage.
Nigeria’s government has rejected Trump’s claims, insisting that the nation’s security challenges affect both Christians and Muslims.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris called Trump’s comments “misguided,” while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the U.S. designation failed to reflect the complex realities of Nigeria’s internal conflicts.
Northern Islamic groups have since accused Trump of attempting to exploit religion to divide Nigeria.
Reactions have continued across religious and political circles since the remarks. On Friday, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, urged President Bola Tinubu to pursue diplomatic engagement with Washington and seek a 90-day grace period to show tangible results in counterterrorism efforts.
He warned that any confrontation could worsen hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
Both China and Russia have opposed any potential U.S. military action in Nigeria, with Beijing’s Foreign Ministry insisting that Nigeria’s sovereignty must be respected. It called for dialogue and cooperation rather than coercion.
The African Union (AU) also cautioned that external interference could destabilise West Africa further.
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