Popular Hausa musician Dauda Adamu Kahutu, popularly known as Rarara, has criticised Afrobeats star Davido over his decision to highlight the plight of abducted schoolchildren during a recent FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown concert.
Rarara, in a video posted on his verified Facebook page, accused the singer of projecting Nigeria negatively before an international audience by wearing a jacket bearing the inscription “Bring Them Home” alongside the names of abducted students and teachers from Oyo State.
Davido had performed at the event and later explained on social media that he used the platform to draw attention to the victims while also expressing solidarity with their families.
“From Nigeria to the world, I will always represent my people with pride,” the singer wrote, adding that he was praying for the victims, their families and for peace in the country.
But reacting to the gesture, Rarara, a well-known All Progressive Congress-aligned musician, said security-related matters should not be used in ways that could damage the country’s image.
“What Davido did was barbaric,” he said. “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?”
The singer argued that insecurity should not be turned into a political tool, alleging that some individuals exploit such issues for political advantage.
Rarara questioned Davido’s motive for displaying the names of the abducted schoolchildren on a global stage, suggesting that the action may have been influenced by political considerations.
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He further likened the act to publicly exposing a family’s private distress, insisting that national security matters require caution and a proper understanding of the circumstances surrounding them.
According to him, the abduction of the Oyo schoolchildren occurred after security agencies arrested some suspected terrorists, who allegedly carried out the kidnapping in an attempt to pressure authorities into releasing those in custody.
“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,” he said.
Rarara also warned content creators against amplifying narratives that could inadvertently aid criminal groups, arguing that some do so for political reasons while others are merely seeking public attention.
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He maintained that countries around the world place limits on how sensitive security matters are discussed publicly and urged Nigerians to be mindful of the broader implications of their actions.
In response, Davido reacted on X by quoting Rarara’s post and replying “Debidooo,” in what appeared to be a mocking reference to the pronunciation of his name in Hausa.
Rarara responded with the phrase “Kashiga taitayinka,” a derogatory Hausa expression telling the Afrobeat star to come back to his senses.
Davido also replied: “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.”
The controversy has continued to generate debate on social media, with supporters of both entertainers expressing differing views on whether raising awareness about insecurity on an international platform helps or harms Nigeria’s image.
