By: Fabian Apechihin

Hundreds of members of the The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), shiites, in Kano on Saturday staged a protest against a viral statement attributed to United States President Donald Trump, suggesting the possibility of a military strike on Nigeria.

The protest, which took place in several parts of the Kano metropolis, saw large crowds chanting anti-US slogans while carrying placards expressing displeasure with the alleged remarks.

Zagazola Makama report that mobilisation for the protest was largely coordinated through Hausa-language social media platforms, where posts claimed that the United States was planning to “attack Nigeria.”

Video footage circulating online showed youths marching, calling for global condemnation of Trump’s alleged comments, and urging Nigerians to defend the country’s sovereignty.

The members said they viewed the comments as provocative and capable of inciting tension.

“The statement is unacceptable. No foreign nation should threaten Nigeria. This protest is to show that we will not allow external aggression,” a protester said.

The narratives circulating online suggest a growing trend of anti-US sentiment in parts of northern Nigeria, fuelled by misinformation, distrust of Western involvement, and emotional messaging tied to religion and national identity.

They expressed concern that such rhetoric, if unchecked, could escalate and be exploited by extremist groups or political actors.

• As C&S Movement Church Worldwide holds 85th Convention

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Chairman and Spiritual Father of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide (Ayo Ni O), His Most Eminence, Prophet (Dr.) Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, has called for continued prayers and support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its efforts to tackle the country’s multifarious challenges, noting that the country is “steadily growing and gradually overcoming its socio-economic challenges.”

The Spiritual Father, who made the call while delivering his keynote address at the 2025 Annual Conference and Convention of the Church, held at the CSMC Galilee Campground, Orile-Igbon, along Ilorin–Ibadan Expressway, Oyo State, specifically urged spiritual leaders across Nigeria to intensify prayers for the nation rather than engage in divisive commentaries, adding: “Yes, Nigeria is going through difficult times, but no foreigner will help us fix our problems. We must play our part, talk to our people, and be sensible with what we preach.”

Prophet Alogbo, however, condemned what he described as “the displacement and violence in communities where Christians are predominantly populated, especially in Southern Kaduna” while
acknowledging that other Nigerians are affected by climate change incidents such as floods, causing economic hardship, homelessness, and loss of properties, among others.

He, however, called for continued prayers and support for the country and the present administration in its efforts and initiatives to combat insecurity noting that,” Nigeria is steadily growing and the country is gradually overcoming socio-economic challenges.”

Reflecting on the theme of the event, the Spiritual Father said ‘Great Mercies’ as explained in Isaiah 54:7 “reveals the depth of God’s compassion and faithfulness, reminding us that His mercies outweigh every affliction. God’s mercy is great, abundant, and everlasting, beyond judgement and human understanding”.

On the State of the Church, Prophet Alogbo announced new developments on the Galilee Land through the church’s BEULAH Project, aimed at transforming the holy ground into a modern worship and retreat center.

“We have constructed lawn tennis and volleyball courts, installed CCTV cameras and security towers for safety, and illuminated major routes with solar-powered streetlights.

“We have also beautified and landscaped the frontage of Galilee along the expressway as a sign of our commitment to God’s work and people’s comfort,” he declared.

He also unveiled new administrative appointments to strengthen the International Secretariat and expressed appreciation to those who had retired.

On the church’s role in interdenominational bodies, Alogbo reaffirmed commitment to unity and ecumenical participation.

“Our Church continues to play an active role in the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria,” he said. “This collaboration is essential for evangelism, unity, and the strengthening of Christian fellowship nationwide.”

In his sermon at the Convention Service, Baba Aladura Moses Olusegun Rufai called for true repentance, stressing that sin hinders the mercies of God.

Prophet Rufai advised Christians to work in unity and not to despise the grace of God by continuing in sin, saying instead, they should forsake sin and live a life that pleases God.

In his remarks, the Chairman, 2025 International Conference and Convention Committee, Special Apostle Engr. Pastor Adetunji Simeon Ajibade, who rolled out the various activities lined up at the week -long event, urged members to _
“rally together as one body of Christ to light the way for one another, and to spread God’s love to the farthest reaches of our influence”, particularly at this trying time in the country

Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the event, Prophetess (Dr.) Victoria Erinfolami admonished women to embody Christ-like character in their daily lives.

“I urge all women, especially those in the Unification, to have a clean heart towards one another,” she said. “Let the name of Jesus Christ be seen in your conduct wherever you are, because we are the light of the world.”

Speaking on the perceived silence of religious leaders over President Donald Trump’s threat to take military action against Nigeria over alleged ‘Christian genocide,’ the Director of Mission of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Special Apostle Moses Ademola Popoola, said Trump is free to express his views but maintained that “it was not my place as a religious leader to respond”.

“The American President has the freedom to talk,” Popoola said. “But as a religious person, I cannot engage myself in such discussions. I must be knowledgeable enough to know what to say. The Nigerian government is there to reply to him.”

He clarified that the matter, though sensitive, should be handled at the governmental level rather than from the pulpit. “Although the issue may appear to have a religious angle, President Trump is not speaking as a head of a church. He is speaking as a President, and he should be replied to by a President too,” he explained.

Popoola added that he would only respond publicly if a religious leader made such remarks. “If a religious leader says anything on that matter, then I can come out to reply as a religious person myself,” he said.

Sunday Telegraph reports that the week-long event, attended by thousands of worshippers from across Nigeria and abroad, featured praise sessions, awards presentation, and sermons focused on the theme “Great Mercies” (Isaiah 54:7).

End

B: Fabian Apechihin

The General Overseer of El-Buba Outreach Ministries International, Prophet Isa El-Buba, has claimed that Nigeria’s lingering insecurity could be resolved within a week if the government arrests controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

Speaking in an interview with News Central TV, El-Buba alleged that Gumi’s relationship with bandit groups makes him a key figure in the country’s security crisis.

“Sheikh Gumi met with them some time ago. But when he started meeting with the bandits, you could listen to what he has been saying,” El-Buba stated.
“These are people that have killed tens of thousands of people, and you (Gumi) are telling us to negotiate with them. He’s one of the people that, if the government picks him up, in less than one week, the Nigerian government will deal with this matter.”

El-Buba also accused the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) of complicity in the northern insecurity, claiming the group exerts significant control over the activities of armed herders and bandits.

“The Miyetti Allah group is complicit in the insecurity matter in the North. They control 80% of what is going on,” he alleged.

The cleric described statements from Miyetti Allah and related groups as threats to national peace, citing past remarks allegedly made by their leaders suggesting that Nigeria would not know peace until their demands were met.

El-Buba’s comments come amid growing public frustration over the federal government’s inability to end banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks across several northern states.