Mixed reactions trail Davido’s Bring Them Home jacket at World Cup concert
Nigerian singer Davido has sparked mixed reactions after appearing in a jacket bearing the inscription “Bring Them Home” during his performance at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, a gesture highlighting the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The custom-designed jacket featured the names of 39 abducted pupils and seven teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident occurred in May when armed men attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esinele community, killing a school official and a motorcyclist, while a teacher later died in captivity.
Davido, who performed on the global stage alongside international acts, later reshared posts on X confirming the message behind his outfit, noting that it was intended to draw attention to the plight of the victims and ensure they are not forgotten.
However, the gesture has since divided opinion online, with supporters praising the singer for using a global platform to amplify awareness of insecurity in Nigeria.
Matthew Chidi wrote: “That’s so thoughtful of him. It’s high time our leaders rescued those abducted and brought an end to banditry and kidnappers once and for all. Thank you for lending your voice.”
Hassan also supported the move, saying it was a “proper way to let everyone know that a lot is happening in our country,” while expressing hope for the safe return of the victims.
Smart described the gesture as commendable, writing: “Thanks for using this platform to lend your voice to the yearning of your people. God bless you David.”
James Babatunde, however, praised the intention but argued that more concrete action was needed beyond symbolic gestures, urging leaders and influencers to push for tangible results in addressing insecurity.
On the other hand, some critics dismissed the gesture, questioning its effectiveness. X user Kwame wrote: “What stupid message??? Wearing that jacket will make them release those kids??” while another user, Heaven, condemned the move, saying it portrayed Nigeria negatively on a global stage.
Daniel Osifo was also critical, describing the reactions as misplaced, arguing that some Nigerians were more concerned with optics than the seriousness of the abductions.
Despite the divergent views, the development has continued to trend online, reigniting conversations around insecurity in Nigeria and the need for urgent action to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
