On a night meant for celebration, Davido turned his birthday concert into a solemn reminder of Nigeria’s heartbreak. The global star paused his Atlanta show to honor victims of the week’s brutal attacks, urging the world not to look away.
The singer, who also marked his birthday that night, paused the concert to call attention to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis. He mentioned the recent mass kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly church attack in Kwara State, urging fans worldwide to remember those affected and press for peace back home.
Nation in Chaos: Abductions, Attacks, and Tensions
The insecurity Davido referenced reflects a broader national emergency. On November 17, at least 25 schoolgirls were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. According to authorities, the gunmen breached the school perimeter before dawn, engaging in a firefight with police and killing a staff member during the attack.
Two of the girls managed to escape in the chaos, but a major rescue operation is ongoing. Security forces, comprising police tactical units, the military, and local vigilante groups are sweeping nearby forests and roads in a desperate bid to recover the remaining students.
Just a day later, another wave of terror struck in Eruku, a community in Kwara State. During a live-streamed service at Christ Apostolic Church, gunmen opened fire on the congregation, killing at least three people and abducting several worshippers. According to one report, about 38 worshippers are being held hostage, with kidnappers reportedly demanding a ₦100 million ransom per person. The Ekiti LGA police division and military have since launched a large-scale operation in the area. In other news, iNaijanow shared a story of Nicki Minaj joining the global plea to assist Nigeria in fighting Christian persecution in the country.
Government Scrambles – President Postpones International Trip
The fallout from these attacks has hit the presidency hard. Just hours after the church attack, President Bola Tinubu canceled planned trips to the G20 Summit in South Africa and the AU–EU Summit in Angola, citing security concerns and the urgency of ongoing rescue efforts. He has also dispatched a delegation led by the National Security Adviser to Kwara and Kebbi States to oversee operations and reassure citizens.
Mixed Reactions to Davido’s Act of Solidarity
Davido’s tribute was widely praised on social media, with many fans calling it “powerful” and “urgent.” For some, his action transcended superstardom: a global artist using his platform to raise awareness about Nigeria’s pain.
Others, however, were more critical. Some commentators described the moment as “performative activism”, urging Davido to go further and call out government leaders directly. But even critics conceded that in a country experiencing such profound instability, the message of solidarity hit home.
