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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Omokri criticizes Davido's advocacy, says publicity aids terrorists

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, criticized singer Davido's advocacy for abducted Oyo schoolchildren.
  • Omokri argued that global publicity surrounding terrorism cases, like Davido's stage outfit, aids terrorist groups rather than pressuring them.
  • He cited past advocacy efforts and international campaigns, suggesting they can inadvertently complicate hostage situations and make victims more valuable to captors.

Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, has voiced criticism against Afrobeats star David Adeleke, known as Davido, regarding his public advocacy for abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State. Omokri contends that the global publicity generated by terrorism cases, even when intended to pressure perpetrators, may inadvertently benefit terrorist groups.

Publicity Helps Terrorists. It Does Not Pressure Them. They Treasure it!

— Reno OmokriExplaining his view on the impact of global publicity on terrorism cases.

The controversy stems from Davido's appearance at a FIFA World Cup countdown concert, where he wore a customized jacket and shirt bearing the names of pupils and teachers abducted in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The singer described his action as a call for urgent government intervention.

It is a very big mistake to think that publicity, or global outrage, pressures terrorists. Quite the contrary. They relish it! They thrive on it.

— Reno OmokriChallenging the common perception of how terrorists respond to global attention.

Omokri, in a statement on X, argued that publicity does not pressure terrorists but rather strengthens them. He stated, “Publicity Helps Terrorists. It Does Not Pressure Them. They Treasure it!” Omokri explained that visibility often works in favor of armed groups, allowing them to amplify fear and influence outcomes, contrary to the common belief that global outrage pressures them.

Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.

— Reno OmokriQuoting Margaret Thatcher to support his argument about the role of publicity in terrorism.

Referencing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's assertion that "Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism," Omokri suggested that such attention can shift pressure from perpetrators to governments. He also claimed that past advocacy efforts he was involved in, citing the case of Leah Sharibu, were informed by security officials that his activities made her release less likely. Omokri believes increased visibility can make victims more valuable to their abductors, citing the #BringBackOurGirls movement as an example where heightened attention complicated rescue efforts.

I was informed by top level security officials that my activities were actually making Leah Sharibu’s release less likely.

— Reno OmokriSharing a personal experience about the unintended consequences of advocacy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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