Popular Hausa musician, Dauda Kahutu, widely known as Rarara, has accused global Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, aka Davido of “acting like a terrorist” for publicising Nigeria’s insecurity challenges internationally, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
Rarara made the remarks in an online video reportedly seen by some reporters.
Davido recently used his performance at the FIFA 2026 World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles to spotlight the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, Nigeria, wearing a jacket emblazoned with “BRING THEM HOME” and the names of the victims.
His bold act drew international attention to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
However, speaking in Hausa language, the praise singer accused Davido of politicising insecurity and promoting narratives that portray Nigeria negatively before the international community.
Rarara began his address with an Islamic greeting, saying:”Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God Almighty.”
He continued: “People of the world, friends near and far, especially Nigerians, I greet you all. I wish you all the best. Ladies and gentlemen, please be patient with me today. I have come with something I have never said or done before. I am not someone who usually makes statements like this.”
The singer said he was compelled to speak because of Davido’s conduct regarding the reported abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“But in this matter, what Davido has done to us is barbaric, and so are people who think like him. Everything about it is like animal behavior.”
Questioning the singer’s motives, Rarara accused Davido of amplifying criminal activities and portraying Nigeria negatively abroad.
“Davido, are you going around promoting criminals? Are you promoting terrorists? How can you take Nigeria’s internal security issues, our sensitive national matters, and take them abroad to the world? What do you hope to gain from that?” he asked.
He further criticised content creators and public figures who publicise security-related incidents internationally.
“Any content creator who behaves like Davido, promoting terrorists, by God, you are dragging this country backward,” he said.
According to Rarara, Davido’s decision to highlight the plight of the abducted children outside Nigeria amounted to exploiting a national tragedy.
“Davido took the names of children who were affected by tragedy in Oyo State, children who were kidnapped. He wrote their names on the Nigerian flag or on a Nigerian badge and went to the United States to display it. What is the meaning of that? What does he stand to gain from it?” he said.
The singer noted that politics may be influencing Davido’s actions, referencing the political ambitions of the Afrobeats star’s uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“Is it because he wants to turn everything into politics? Is he trying to politicise security issues?” he asked.
“If your brother is contesting under Accord, and Tinubu is in APC, does that mean everything becomes political? Does it mean you must now use insecurity as campaign material for your uncle?”
Rarara maintained that politicians and their supporters should not use security challenges as tools for political campaigns.
“Any politician who campaigns using security issues is, in my opinion, ignorant and irresponsible,” he said.
“What Davido did is like untying his mother’s wrapper, taking a picture of it, and going to America to display it, asking people to come and help tie it back. That is madness. Anyone with sense should reflect on this.”
He argued that security matters are complex and should not be discussed publicly without adequate understanding of the circumstances surrounding them.
“Security matters are not something you jump into without understanding the situation. You must be properly informed about what is happening,”he said.
Rarara then questioned whether Davido had sufficient knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
“Davido, do you even understand the reason those children were taken? Do you understand the kidnappers or terrorists behind it?” he asked.
The singer claimed that the abductors had demanded the release of their associates and that Nigerian authorities refused to negotiate on those terms.
“These are criminals who took people hostage, and the condition was that their associates would only be released if the kidnapped victims were returned,” he said.
“The Nigerian government and security agencies refused to release the terrorists and insisted the children must be rescued instead.”
He accused Davido of choosing a sensitive moment to criticise the country despite ongoing efforts by security agencies.
“So Davido now chooses this moment to insult our country?” he said.
Escalating his criticism, Rarara declared that Davido’s conduct resembled that of someone working against Nigeria’s interests.
“Let me say this clearly: in my opinion, Davido is now acting like a terrorist. He is behaving like someone who is undermining his own country. He took our national issue and spread it abroad,” he said.
The singer also argued that freedom of expression should not extend to the publication of sensitive national security matters.
“And that is not even true freedom of expression. Even in places like China, Korea or other countries, you cannot just go and spread sensitive national security issues without restriction, they restrict what you watch,” he said.
“You cannot go to America or anywhere else and assume you can freely publish whatever you like when it concerns national security.”
