By Amanabo Ocholi | The Bureau News
A large group of youths flooded the streets of Katsina on Sunday in a rare public demonstration showing solidarity with Iran, as tensions between the Islamic Republic and Israel continue to rattle the Middle East.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by popular user Oyindamola (@dammiedammie35), dozens of demonstrators were seen waving Iranian flags and chanting slogans while holding banners. Their message: a clear show of support for Iran in the face of growing hostilities with Israel.
The peaceful protest, which unfolded in the heart of Northern Nigeria, comes at a time when Iran and Israel are teetering on the brink of wider conflict. LEADERSHIP Newspaper earlier reported that the rally followed the fallout from a direct missile and drone attack launched by Iran against Israel in April 2025—an unprecedented move described as retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria.
The Israeli strike killed several senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), prompting Iran to respond with hundreds of projectiles targeting Israeli soil. This marked the first direct exchange between the two nations in a long-standing proxy conflict.
Israel, in turn, launched targeted strikes on Iranian military infrastructure inside the country, further escalating fears of a regional war that could drag in international powers including the United States, Gulf States, and allied militant groups.
Although the dust has since settled, both Iran and Israel remain locked in a tense standoff involving cyber warfare, covert intelligence operations, and heavy military posturing.
Nigeria, which maintains diplomatic relations with both nations and is home to a significant Muslim population, has so far taken a neutral position on the conflict, urging peace and dialogue.
At the time of this report, it remains unclear whether the protest in Katsina was organized by a specific group or emerged spontaneously. Authorities in Katsina State are yet to issue an official statement. However, no violence or arrests were reported during the demonstration.
The protest highlights Nigeria’s deep religious and geopolitical ties to global Islamic affairs, and may spur renewed conversations around its foreign policy positioning in volatile international conflicts.
The post 🇳🇬🇮🇷 Pro-Iran Protest Rocks Katsina as Youths Rally in Solidarity Amid Middle East Tensions appeared first on The Bureau Newspaper.
