By Pascal Ibe

Introduction

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, on 11 June, used his performance at a FIFA World Cup event to draw global attention to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State, turning his appearance into a powerful advocacy moment.

The incident, which occurred in May when armed men attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esinele community, led to the death of a school official and a motorcyclist during the raid, while a teacher later died in captivity.

During the show, Davido appeared on stage wearing a customised jacket displaying the names of the kidnapped victims alongside the message “Bring Them Home,” a gesture that immediately stood out to the international audience.

However, a prominent music star from northern Nigeria,  Dauda Rarara, criticised Davido for speaking out against the country’s worsening insecurity.

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.

Claim 

Amid the criticism of the Afrobeats star by Rarara, an X user has claimed that Davido has threatened to sue the Kano State-based singer.

In a post dated 18 June, the X user, @DJ_Wakilii wrote: BREAKING: Davido Adeleke has threatened legal action against popular Hausa singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara following comments in which Rarara accused him of promoting terrorism.  

The X user also attached an image of Davido, with a written statement under it, vowing to sue Rarara.

Other X users who commented on the post believed that this story was true.

Verification

Responding in Hausa language to Rarara via his verified X account on 17 June, Davido called on the Hausa singer to openly speak out against the country’s worsening insecurity, insisting that silence and political bias only deepen national challenges.

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 into English, Davido insisted that Nigerians must not remain silent in the face of insecurity, stressing that patriotism requires speaking out regardless of political affiliation.

At no point did the Afrobeats star threaten legal action against Rarara.

A further check on Davido’s Facebook and Instagram showed that the claim was not true.

No news organisation in Nigeria confirmed this claim.

See what some news websites reported here.

Verdict

Checks on the pages on the Afrobeats star indicated that the claim is FALSE.