Afrobeats star Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, used his appearance at a FIFA World Cup countdown concert on Wednesday to draw global attention to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The singer wore a customised black leather jacket bearing the names of the abducted victims as he took the stage at the event, which was held ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The jacket featured green circular tags displaying the names of those affected, with victims still in captivity written in white, while names of those confirmed dead were marked in red. It also carried the message “BRING THEM HOME” prominently on the back.
Davido complemented the outfit with a white T-shirt branded “NIGERIA” as he used his platform to speak briefly on the situation.
Speaking before his performance, the singer expressed concern over the continued captivity of the victims and called for urgent intervention.
“Peace and love everywhere. May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed,” he said.
He added that prayers were ongoing for the safe return of those still in captivity, while urging authorities to intensify efforts to rescue them.
“They still haven’t been rescued; we’re praying to God every day. We also pray that the government hastens action,” he said.
The performance, which was expected to be a routine musical appearance, turned into a symbolic advocacy moment for the victims, amplifying calls for their release on an international stage.
The FIFA World Cup countdown concert brings together global performers ahead of the tournament, with Davido featured as one of the headline acts.
