A video that trended on Facebook claims that “Islamic extremists” are taking down a billboard with a Christmas greeting in Kwara state, Nigeria.
At first glance, the video looks disturbing. A group of men stand around a large roadside billboard. They pull it down piece by piece. The message on the banner reads “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” On Facebook, the caption is sharper than the images. It claims Islamic extremists are destroying a Christian message in Kwara State.
The post spreads fast, feeding fear and anger.
But what really happened?
We slowed the video and studied the banner closely. The face on it belongs to Saliu Mustapha, senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District. The Christmas message sits alongside his campaign style branding.
Next, we traced the video’s origin.
The clip did not appear recently. It first surfaced online in December 2024, months before renewed online debates about religious persecution in Nigeria. At the time, the caption was different. It described the removal of Senator Mustapha’s Christmas billboards across Ilorin. At that time, there was no mention of religion. No mention of extremists.
We also checked for media reports linking the incident to religious attacks. None exist.
Then we examined the local political context. Reports point to internal rivalry within the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections. Senator Mustapha is a member of the party. The billboard removals were linked to political contestation, not faith.
Finally, we also checked official records. The Kwara State Signage and Advertising Agency addressed the issue publicly. Its general manager explained that some billboards were removed due to road construction and unpaid advertising fees. That explanation aligns with signage enforcement practices seen across Nigerian cities.
So, what does the video actually show? It shows a political billboard being taken down in late 2024. It does not show religious intolerance. It is NOT about Islamic extremists. It does not show an attack on Christmas or Christianity.
Verdict
The claim that “Islamic extremists” were taking down “Christian” billboards in Kwara State is false. The video was miscaptioned to provoke religious tension.
It documents a political and regulatory issue, not religious persecution.
