Davido Turns World Cup Stage Into Protest – Wears Jacket Bearing Names of Kidnapped Oyo Schoolchildren at FIFA Concert

LOS ANGELES – Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, transformed his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert into a powerful plea for justice on Wednesday, wearing a customized jacket bearing the names of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted in Oyo State, Nigeria. Taking the stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Grammy-nominated singer used one of football’s biggest global stages to spotlight the security crisis back home, demanding immediate government action for the victims who remain in captivity. The concert formed part of FIFA’s global countdown activities, with simultaneous events held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the lead-up to football’s biggest tournament. Davido performed alongside American singer America Foster, electronic music group Major Lazer, and renowned producer and DJ Diplo. By displaying the victims’ names before a global audience, the singer effectively transformed a World Cup celebration into a platform for advocacy, ensuring that the plight of the abducted children and their teachers reached millions beyond Nigeria’s borders.

A viral backstage video revealed the striking details of Davido’s carefully planned attire. The singer wore a white T-shirt reading “NIGERIA” beneath a black leather jacket. The jacket featured the message “BRING THEM HOME” boldly printed across the back and was decorated with green circular buttons on the front. Each button bore the name of a kidnapped victim. In a poignant design choice, the names of those still in captivity were written in white, while the names of those who had lost their lives were inscribed in red. The victims were pupils and teachers abducted during a deadly attack on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. Armed bandits reportedly stormed the schools, abducting dozens of students and teachers, including a vice-principal. One teacher was killed during the attack, while another abducted teacher was later murdered by the kidnappers. Before his musical performance, Davido addressed the international audience, saying: “Peace and love everywhere. May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed.”

Before his musical performance, Davido addressed the international audience, expressing grief over the pace of rescue operations and urging both federal and state governments to hasten their intervention. “They still haven’t been rescued, we’re praying to God every day. We’re also praying to God that the government hastens. My country is going through a lot. We represent everywhere we go,” the singer added. The May 15 abduction has triggered nationwide outrage, prompting solidarity protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and an indefinite strike by teachers in Oyo State. The incident has generated widespread public concern, intensified by distress messages released by the school’s principal regarding the harsh conditions the hostages are facing.

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Davido’s gesture at the FIFA concert is the latest in a series of public interventions by the singer on Nigeria’s worsening security situation. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) , he expressed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings across the country. He wrote: “I’m weak. God, please take control; we can’t continue like this. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. I can’t lie, we entertainers, including me, need to speak up.” The post drew widespread reactions from celebrities and public figures, including actress and content creator Kiekie, comedian and filmmaker AY Makun, and singer Tiwa Savage.

Amid public outcry over the Federal Government’s perceived indifference to the plight of the students, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement assuring parents that his administration would ensure the safe return of the abducted children. Tinubu declared that he had “directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country. These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.” Beyond securing the safe return of the students, President Tinubu also expressed his administration’s determination to provide medical care for the children once they regain their freedom.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has also intervened repeatedly, meeting with relatives of the victims and assuring them that security agencies were working relentlessly to secure their release. During a meeting with affected families, the governor described the kidnappers’ actions as cruel and inhumane, pledging that authorities would continue rescue efforts until all the abductees were safely reunited with their loved ones.

Photos and videos of the performance quickly circulated online, prompting praise from many Nigerians who commended the singer for drawing international attention to the abduction crisis. Many social media users described the gesture as a powerful reminder that, amid the excitement surrounding the World Cup, some Nigerian families are still waiting for their children and loved ones to come home.

Davido’s tribute comes at a time when concerns over insecurity and school abductions remain high across parts of Nigeria. More than three weeks after the abduction, many relatives remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones and continue to appeal for their safe return. For families of the victims, the singer’s message carried a significance far beyond fashion or entertainment. As concerns over insecurity continue to mount, more celebrities and citizens have joined calls for stronger government action to protect lives and tackle rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime across the nation. Key events in this developing story include: on May 15, 2026, armed bandits attacked schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers, with one teacher killed during the attack and another later murdered by kidnappers; on June 10, 2026, Davido performed at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert in Los Angeles, wearing a custom jacket bearing victims’ names and addressing the global audience; and following the concert, President Tinubu issued a statement on rescue operations while Governor Makinde met with affected families. The victims remain in captivity as rescue operations continue. This is a developing story. More details will be provided as information becomes available from Nigerian security agencies and government officials. Key details to remember: the abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State; victims include pupils, teachers, and a vice-principal; one teacher was killed during the attack and another was later murdered; Davido wore a jacket with “BRING THE HOME” and buttons bearing victims’ names at the FIFA concert on June 10, 2026; President Tinubu has ordered intensified rescue operations; and Governor Makinde has met with affected families.

Davido Turns World Cup Stage Into Protest – Wears Jacket Bearing Names of Kidnapped Oyo Schoolchildren at FIFA Concert