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

The controversy 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 Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a video posted on his verified Facebook page, Rarara described Davido’s action as “barbaric,” arguing that it risked damaging Nigeria’s international image and alleging that the issue was being politicised.

“I do not usually reply or react to issues like this, but what Davido did was barbaric. In my opinion, Davido and those who share his way of thinking are only behaving foolishly.

“How can you promote Ansaru terrorists or insecurity-related issues to the whole world? How can you take a sensitive national security issue and project it to the world in a way that could damage the country’s image? What exactly do you stand to gain from doing that?

“Davido took the names of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, wrote them on the Nigerian flag and displayed it in America. What was the purpose? What did he hope to achieve? Or was it because he had turned the matter into politics?”

Rarara further questioned the intent behind Davido’s move, suggesting it was linked to political interests and warning against the internationalisation of sensitive security matters.

“Is it because his uncle is contesting an election on Accord Party and Tinubu is in APC? Is that why insecurity must become a campaign tool? Anyone who campaigns with insecurity is insane, because he does not fully understand what it entails.

“What Davido did is similar to removing his own mother’s wrapper, taking a photograph of her and travelling to America to display it for the whole world to see, only to ask people to help cover her up again. What kind of thinking is that?

“Insecurity is not something people should casually jump into. There are facts and circumstances that ordinary members of the public may not know. Before speaking on such matters, one should understand the situation properly.

“Did Davido know the reason behind the abduction of those schoolchildren? Some terrorists were arrested. When efforts to secure their release failed, the kingpins kidnapped innocent people in an attempt to force the authorities to negotiate.

“The President and security agencies had vowed that the terrorists would not be released and that the children would be rescued. It was during this delicate period that Davido chose to embarrass us on a global stage.

“You cannot go to China and promote issues the authorities do not want promoted. The same applies in many other countries. There are limits. But some of our content creators continue to promote narratives that, in my opinion, end up helping terrorists.

“Some content creators do not understand the implications of what they are doing, while others do. Some are sponsored by politicians, while others are simply chasing engagement and followers.”

Reacting on X, Davido quoted Rarara’s post and replied, “Debidooo,” in what appeared to be a mocking reference to the pronunciation of his name.

Rarara responded with the phrase “Kashiga taitayinka,” a derogatory Hausa expression telling the Afrobeat star to come back to his senses.

Davido also fired back, saying, “Da ace kana da ilimi da na tsaya nayi magana dakai. Ama komai baka sani ba, sakarai kawai,” which translates as “If only you had knowledge, I would have stopped to speak with you. But you know nothing, just a fool,” according to a translation of his Hausa response.

In a follow-up statement shared in Hausa and later translated to English, Davido insisted that Nigerians must not remain silent in the face of insecurity, stressing that patriotism requires speaking out regardless of political affiliation.

He, “Da farko, duk wanda yake da kishin Najeriya ba zai yi shiru kan matsalar rashin tsaro da ke addabar ƙasa ba, kuma ba zai hana wasu bayyana damuwarsu a kai ba. Rashin tausayi da fifita son rai ko zama karen en siyasa , da fifita son rai fiye da muradun al’umma ba abin alfahari ba ne. Ka kasance mai kishin ƙasarka, ka daina fifita siyasa a kan gaskiya, sannan ka ji tsoron Allah a cikin duk abin da kake yi #kahuturarara which translates to “Damn it, every Nigerian should not stay silent about the insecurity plaguing the nation, nor should they prevent others from voicing their concerns openly.

He added that prioritising political interests over national welfare was harmful to the country’s progress.

“Showing bias and prioritizing personal or political interests, and putting personal desires above the community’s goals, is nothing to be proud of. Be a patriot for your country, stop prioritizing politics over the truth, and fear God in everything you do

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PUNCH Metro reports that the driver died a few hours after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of officers following a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that all officers involved had been detained and that the family had been visited.

“The Nigerian Air Force is aware of the reported incident and is deeply saddened by the loss of life,” Ejodame said.

“Upon receiving information on the matter, the personnel suspected to be involved were immediately taken into custody, and the case is currently under investigation by the appropriate civil and military authorities.

“The NAF has also extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and visited them to express sympathy and support during this difficult time,” the statement added.

However, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the grieving mother of three said the Air Force had failed to fulfil the assurances given to her family during the condolence visit.

“He was the breadwinner. The Air Force officers came to visit us, and the way they spoke gave me hope. I was encouraged by what they told us.

“But after they left, everything changed. I have not heard from them again. My husband was the one feeding and taking care of the family, and now he is gone.

“When they came that day, they spoke in a way that made me happy. But after they left, they changed. I don’t know why. I have not seen them again, and I do not know the reason,” she said.

Speaking in a shaky voice, the mother of three said her children had continued to ask about their father.

“The children have been asking about their father, especially the youngest one. Since the day my husband died, he has been crying because he misses his father.

“My youngest child is five years old. My daughter is 10 years old, and my first child is 14 years old.”

She added that during the condolence visit, Air Force representatives handed her N200,000 to assist with feeding the children.

“They gave me N200,000 when they came. They said it was for me to use and feed the children. Since then, I have never received another call from them.

“I feel very sad about it. I really do.”

The bereaved widow appealed to the government to intervene and support the welfare and education of her children.

“What I want the government to do for me is to help me train my children and support their education. Their father was the one responsible for them and took care of all their needs.

“I want the government to take responsibility and help ensure that the children can continue their education and have a future.”

Recalling the events that led to her husband’s death, the widow said the tragedy came as a devastating shock to the family.

She said, “When the time came, I had to explain because it was shocking to me. I was so surprised because I never expected this kind of thing.

“On the day it happened, both of us left the house at the same time. I was going to visit one of my sisters, while my husband had gone to work.

“That night, I received a call after 8 p.m. The woman who called asked if I was Joseph’s wife. I said yes, and she told me that my husband had been involved in an accident. I was shocked.

“I immediately called my husband’s elder brother and informed him that someone had called to say my husband had been involved in an accident.

“My husband’s brother asked where I was, and I told him I was at home. I then went to my sister’s place.

“The caller told me to come with my family, so I went to my husband’s sister and brother in Oshodi. When I got there, I explained everything to them, and we started looking for a vehicle to take us to the hospital.

“At that time, it was already late, and we could not find transportation. People were unwilling to come out because of the late hour and fear of being stopped by the police.

“The caller told me my husband was at a hospital in Mushin. Later, the doctor’s phone number was sent to me, and I forwarded it to my brother.

“My husband’s brother and I began communicating with the doctor. We pleaded with him to take care of my husband because we could not get there immediately due to the late hour.

“About three to five minutes after we spoke with the doctor, he called back and told me that my husband had died.

“The following morning, I went to the hospital with some people who assisted my family and me. When I got there, I saw my husband lying on the bed.”

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The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Islamic New Year, 1st Muharram, 1448 A.H.

He noted that the migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah established the foundation for justice, brotherhood, and community building, as well as values that are urgently needed for global peace.

Sulu-Gambari stated this in a goodwill message issued on Tuesday by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona, describing the Hijrah as a timeless reminder of sacrifice, perseverance, and faith in Allah’s divine plan.

The monarch noted, “Hijrah teaches us that hard times do not last forever. As we enter 1448 A.H., I urge Muslims to renew their commitment to piety, peaceful coexistence, and service to humanity.”

He appealed to Nigerians to use the new year to pray for peace, unity, and economic prosperity at all levels, while urging religious and political leaders to avoid divisive utterances capable of causing rancour in society and to promote messages that strengthen national cohesion.

The Emir further commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s support for religious harmony and urged youths to emulate the discipline and courage of the early Muslims by shunning violence, drug abuse, and other social vices.

Sulu-Gambari also offered special prayers for the repose of the soul of the late Prof. Yusuf Lanre Badmos, whose relentless efforts, scholarship, and devotion to the National Hijrah Organisation, Kwara State Chapter, significantly advanced the commemoration of Hijrah and the propagation of Islamic values during his lifetime.

He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.

“May the New Year inspire us to be our brother’s keeper. I pray Almighty Allah (SWT) grants us good health, abundant blessings, and accepts our acts of worship,” the Emir added.

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