Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has defended his decision to spotlight Nigeria’s insecurity crisis on a global stage, insisting that Nigerians must not remain silent about worsening violence and abductions, following criticism from prominent Hausa musician Dauda Rarara over his appearance at a FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, United States.
The disagreement emerged after Davido performed at the June 10 World Cup countdown event wearing a customised jacket bearing the message ‘Bring Them Home’ alongside the names of more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers abducted on May 15 in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Rarara criticised the move in a video shared on his verified Facebook page, describing Davido’s action as inappropriate and potentially damaging to Nigeria’s image abroad.
The singer argued that projecting insecurity-related issues on a global platform could undermine the country’s reputation and questioned the motive behind the public display of the abducted victims’ names.
According to Rarara, sensitive security matters should be approached with caution, particularly when security agencies are actively working to resolve them. He suggested that the issue had been politicised and questioned whether political interests influenced the decision to showcase the message at an international event.
The Hausa musician also maintained that the public may not always have full knowledge of the circumstances surrounding security operations and negotiations involving criminal groups.
He further claimed that the abduction was linked to efforts by terrorist elements to pressure authorities following arrests of some of their members. Rarara said the Federal Government and security agencies had committed to rescuing the victims and warned against actions he believed could complicate delicate security situations.
He also criticised some content creators and public figures for amplifying narratives that, in his view, could inadvertently benefit criminal groups.
The exchange quickly moved to social media, where both entertainers traded remarks.
Reacting on X, Davido quoted Rarara’s comments and responded with a brief post that appeared to mock the pronunciation of his name. Rarara replied with a derogatory Hausa expression, escalating the public disagreement between the two musicians.
Davido later issued a stronger response in Hausa, dismissing Rarara’s criticism and questioning his understanding of the issues being discussed. The Afrobeats star subsequently expanded on his position, arguing that patriotism requires citizens to speak openly about insecurity and humanitarian concerns regardless of political affiliations.
In a follow-up statement later translated into English, Davido said every Nigerian with genuine concern for the country should be able to express worries about insecurity without intimidation or attempts to silence opposing views. He stressed that citizens should not be discouraged from drawing attention to challenges affecting communities across the country.
The singer also warned against placing political loyalties above national interests, stating that prioritising personal or partisan considerations over public welfare does little to address the country’s challenges. He urged Nigerians to remain committed to truth, national progress and accountability, insisting that confronting insecurity openly is a responsibility shared by all citizens rather than a matter to be viewed through a political lens.
The controversy has since generated widespread discussion online, with supporters of both musicians debating whether raising awareness of insecurity on international platforms helps draw attention to victims’ plight or risks portraying the country negatively before a global audience.
