Reno Omokri Responds After Davido’s Social Media Backlash Over “Bring Them Home” Jacket

Ambassador-designate to Mexico and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has hit back at Afrobeats musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, following a social media clash over the singer’s recent activism.

The public dispute began after Davido performed at a World Cup countdown concert in Los Angeles wearing a custom jacket embroidered with the message “Bring Them Home,” alongside the names of over 40 schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State last month. Omokri publicly criticized the wardrobe choice, arguing that displaying the victims’ names on a massive global stage provides terrorist networks with the exact attention, leverage, and publicity they seek.

In response to the critique, the music star shared an interview clip of Omokri on his Instagram page accompanied by a derogatory caption.

Addressing the backlash in a statement issued on Tuesday, Omokri expressed disappointment at the singer’s choice of words, stating that such vulgar language is unbecoming of an international figure representing Nigeria. While acknowledging that Davido’s advocacy came from a place of good intentions, Omokri maintained his stance that amplifying high-profile abductions inadvertently helps criminal networks spread fear, secure funding, and recruit new members.

To support his argument, Omokri referenced the global response to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abductions. He noted that after high-profile international figures adopted the “#BringBackOurGirls” slogan, Boko Haram militants split the captives into multiple, heavily fortified camps, heavily complicating military rescue strategies.

Omokri concluded by emphasizing that public figures should exercise caution to avoid turning national tragedies into public campaigns that might empower perpetrators, pointing to international reporting guidelines from bodies like UNESCO that discourage granting undue publicity to terrorist groups.