Omokri faults Davido, says publicity on abducted Oyo pupils helps terrorists

Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has criticised Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over his public advocacy for abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, arguing that global publicity around terrorism cases may undermine rescue efforts.

The controversy follows Davido’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert, where he used his stage outfit to draw attention to pupils and teachers abducted in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Davido wears jacket bearing names of abducted pupils, teachers in Nigeria for World Cup countdown performance. Credit: X| 5iveAliveWT

The singer wore a customised jacket and shirt featuring the names of the victims, with inscriptions indicating those still in captivity and those confirmed dead, in what he described as a call for urgent government action.

Reacting in a detailed statement via X on Thursday, Omokri warned that such publicity could strengthen terrorist groups rather than pressure them into releasing victims.

“Publicity Helps Terrorists. It Does Not Pressure Them. They Treasure it!” he said.

He added that there is a common misunderstanding about how armed groups respond to global attention, insisting that visibility often works in their favour.

“It is a very big mistake to think that publicity, or global outrage, pressures terrorists. Quite the contrary. They relish it! They thrive on it,” he said.

Omokri referenced former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, saying, “Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism,” adding that terror groups depend on attention to amplify fear and influence outcomes.

He further argued that global campaigns can shift pressure away from perpetrators and toward governments.

“If you do not know about their terrifying acts, they can’t have the power of terror over you,” he said, stressing that publicity increases fear and strengthens terrorist leverage.

The ambassador-designate also claimed that past advocacy efforts have had unintended consequences on hostage situations, citing international campaigns he was involved in.

“I was informed by top level security officials that my activities were actually making Leah Sharibu’s release less likely,” he said.

He added that increased visibility can make victims more valuable to abductors, who may use them for leverage.

“By raising her profile, I was making her too valuable as a hostage to her captors,” he said.

Omokri also referenced the global #BringBackOurGirls movement, arguing that heightened attention around the Chibok girls case complicated rescue efforts.

“If #BringBackOurGirls had not been made such a global phenomenon, their abductors would not have increased security around the girls,” he said.

He maintained that Nigeria’s security agencies are still working on ongoing rescue operations for the abducted Oyo schoolchildren, noting that similar cases have seen successful recoveries in the past.

“This is not to say the Nigerian government is resting on its oars in the present case. Every effort is being made to secure the release of the children and their teachers,” he said.