Global Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, used his performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert to draw international attention to the ongoing abduction crisis in Nigeria, appearing on stage in a customised jacket featuring the names of recently kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers.
On Wednesday, June 10, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Davido honoured the 39 pupils and 7 teachers abducted by armed bandits from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The custom black leather jacket prominently displayed the individual names of the victims, with colour-coded pins distinguishing survivors from those who lost their lives. The back of the jacket bore the powerful message: “Bring Them Home.”
During his remarks on stage, Davido addressed the crowd, saying: “These are the names of the kids and the teachers... Bring them back home... May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones that have been killed. It’s a very sad situation.” He also offered prayers for the victims’ safe return and called for greater action.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, and has sparked widespread concern across Nigeria, with many of the victims, including young children, still in captivity.
Davido’s gesture has been widely praised on social media as a bold and compassionate move, highlighting how the music icon continues to leverage his global platform for social advocacy and national issues.