Davido Urges Rarara to Speak Out on Insecurity as Online Clash Erupts Over Abduction Message

(Davido. Photo by Premuim Times)

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has called on prominent Hausa singer Dauda Rarara to speak out openly against Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, arguing that silence and political bias only deepen the country’s challenges.

The disagreement stems from Davido’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on June 10, where he wore a customised jacket bearing the inscription “Bring Them Home,” alongside the names of over 40 schoolchildren and teachers abducted on May 15 in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a video shared on social media, Rarara described Davido’s gesture as barbaric, arguing that it risked tarnishing Nigeria’s international image and accusing him of politicising the issue.

He questioned why Davido would promote a sensitive national security matter, including reference to Ansaru terr0rists, on a global stage, suggesting it could damage the country’s reputation without offering any clear benefit.

He noted that Davido had taken the names of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, written them on the Nigerian flag, and displayed it in America, questioning the purpose behind the gesture and wondering whether it was politically motivated.

Rarara went further, alleging that the move may have been linked to Davido’s family’s political interests, given that his uncle is contesting an election under the Accord Party while President Tinubu belongs to the APC, describing anyone who uses insecurity as a campaign tool as foolish for not fully grasping its complexities.

He likened Davido’s action to publicly exposing a private family matter abroad before asking others to help conceal it again, arguing that such sensitive issues require a deeper understanding of the underlying facts before public commentary.

He claimed that the abduction of the schoolchildren followed the arrest of certain terr0rists, and that when efforts to negotiate their release failed, the kidn@ppers responsible abducted innocent citizens in an attempt to pressure authorities into negotiating.

He noted that the President and security agencies had vowed not to release the terr0rists while working to rescue the children, arguing that Davido’s actions came at a particularly delicate moment in that process.

He further argued that certain sensitive national matters are best handled with discretion, comparing it to restrictions observed in other countries, and suggested that some content creators, whether knowingly or not, end up amplifying narratives that inadvertently benefit terr0rists, some driven by political sponsorship and others simply seeking online engagement.

Reacting on social media, Davido quoted Rarara’s post with a brief response that appeared to mock the pronunciation of his name.

Rarara responded with a derogatory Hausa phrase urging the singer to come to his senses, to which Davido fired back in Hausa, effectively dismissing Rarara as lacking the understanding necessary for a meaningful exchange.

In a follow-up statement shared in Hausa and later translated into English, Davido insisted that no patriotic Nigerian should remain silent in the face of insecurity, nor should anyone be discouraged from voicing genuine concern.

He argued that allowing political bias or personal interest to override collective national concern was nothing to take pride in, urging Nigerians to prioritise patriotism and truth over political loyalty, and to act with the fear of God guiding their conduct.

He added that placing personal or political interests above the wellbeing of the community does the nation no good, reiterating his call for genuine patriotism over partisan posturing.