By Achile Danjuma
In the early hours of Monday, March 2, the South West leadership of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) staged a peaceful protest in Lagos. The demonstration was held to denounce the invasion of Iran and the killing of a key Iranian leader, which they attribute to joint US and Israeli strikes.
The protest took place in the Maryland area of the state. As of the time of this report, it remains unclear whether the demonstrations will spread to other regions.
The gathering caused some unease among members of the public, as protesters chanted slogans perceived as provocative, calling for global condemnation of American intervention in sovereign nations.
Speaking to journalists, leaders of the IMN urged the Nigerian government to reject the presence of US troops in the country.
The South West Coordinator of the IMN, Muftau Zakariya, stated that the protest was intended to voice their concerns over what they describe as the sustained invasion of sovereign nations by the Trump administration. He cited recent interventions in Venezuela, including the alleged seizure of the country’s president and its energy infrastructure, as examples.
Zakariya also claimed that terrorism in Nigeria has been on the rise since the US government became more involved in the country’s affairs. He specifically pointed to intensified and ongoing attacks in Kwara State, which he linked to American involvement in Nigeria.
“We maintain that nothing good comes from US intervention,” Zakariya said. “They are only interested in their economic gains and do not mind the consequences that follow.”
Another leader of the movement, Muhammadu Bashir, explained that the protest was a way to express their dismay over the killing of Iranian leaders. He assured that while the demonstrations would remain peaceful, they would be sustained across the region.
The protest caused brief disruptions for motorists and commuters. No police officers were present at the scene to intervene or disperse the demonstrators.