Date: July 6, 2026 l By Kimberly White
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has defended his decision to spotlight the plight of abducted schoolchildren from Oyo State during his performance at the FIFA 2026 World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, saying Nigeria’s image should not take priority over the safety of innocent children still being held captive.
Davido came under criticism after appearing at the global event in a jacket bearing the words “Bring Them Home” alongside the names of abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State. But speaking in an interview with BBC’s Focus on Africa, the singer said he deliberately used the moment to draw international attention to the worsening insecurity in Nigeria and the continued captivity of the victims.
“A lot of people do not want to talk about what goes on in my country simply because you want to protect the image. But there is no image to protect if little kids are being kidnapped,” Davido said.
He explained that while he was proud to represent Nigeria at the World Cup event, he believed it was equally important to use his platform to highlight the suffering of victims and the insecurity affecting communities back home.
“As much as I was happy to do the World Cup, we also have to understand that there are things going on back home in our country, which we have the power to let the world know through our own means,” he said.
Davido added that public figures have a responsibility to use their influence to amplify issues affecting society, especially when official responses appear inadequate.
“When I say our own means, where is our power, my power is in music, performances. We have the students that have been missing still now found. So yeah, I use my platform to project what’s really going on,” he said.
His symbolic protest at the World Cup event reignited public attention on the abduction of pupils and school staff in Oyo State and stirred fresh debate over the country’s security crisis. The gesture also drew renewed calls for urgent action from authorities to rescue the victims and hold those responsible accountable.
The abduction has generated widespread outrage across Nigeria, with activists, civil society groups and concerned residents pressing the government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts. The case has become a fresh flashpoint in national conversations about school safety and the state’s ability to protect children from armed attacks.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier expressed deep concern over the kidnapping, declaring that he would be willing to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren, their teacher and principal. Addressing protesters in Ibadan, the governor reportedly assured residents that Oyo State would not be allowed to experience a tragedy comparable to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction.
The protest movement over the kidnapping has continued to gather momentum, with campaigners demanding stronger government action and more visible rescue efforts. Residents of affected communities have also voiced growing fear and frustration over the fate of those seized by gunmen in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities.
The Take It Back Movement has criticised both the Nigerian government and the Oyo State administration over what it described as a failure to act decisively, calling the delay in rescuing the victims a “damning indictment” of the state’s inability to protect its citizens. The group urged security agencies to intensify operations and ensure the safe return of the abducted children and school officials.
Davido’s comments have now amplified that pressure, with the singer insisting that influential Nigerians must continue to use their voices and platforms to keep the missing schoolchildren in public focus until they are reunited with their families.