Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has criticised Afrobeats star Davido for publicly advocating for schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, arguing that widespread publicity of terrorism-related incidents could undermine rescue efforts.
The criticism followed Davido’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert, where he used his stage outfit to draw attention to victims kidnapped in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The singer wore a customised jacket and shirt bearing the names of the abducted pupils and teachers, alongside inscriptions identifying those still in captivity and those confirmed dead. Davido described the gesture as a call for urgent government intervention.
Reacting in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, Omokri said global attention and public outrage often strengthen terrorist groups rather than pressure them into releasing hostages.
According to him, there is a widespread misconception that publicity compels armed groups to act, insisting that such organisations thrive on attention and fear.
“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,” Omokri stated.
Citing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, he said, “Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism,” arguing that terrorist groups depend on visibility to amplify fear and influence outcomes.
Omokri further maintained that extensive publicity often shifts pressure away from perpetrators and onto governments, while increasing the value of hostages to their captors.
Drawing from his experience during advocacy campaigns for Leah Sharibu, he claimed security officials had informed him that heightened publicity made efforts to secure her release more difficult.
“I was informed by top-level security officials that my activities were actually making Leah Sharibu’s release less likely,” he said.
He also referenced the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign following the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, arguing that international attention complicated rescue efforts by prompting abductors to tighten security around the victims.
Despite his concerns about public advocacy, Omokri stressed that Nigerian security agencies remain committed to securing the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers.
“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.
The abduction of the pupils and teachers has continued to generate public concern, with calls mounting for swift action to secure their safe return.
(The Whistler)