Reno Omokri has criticised Afrobeats star Davido over his decision to draw global attention to the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State during a high-profile appearance at the FIFA World Cup ceremony, arguing that such publicity does not pressure terrorists but instead benefits them.
Davido had used the international stage to highlight the plight of the kidnapped pupils and teachers, an action that triggered widespread discussion online and renewed calls for their safe release.
Reacting, Omokri insisted that the move, though well-meaning, was misguided and counterproductive.
“Publicity Helps Terrorists. It Does Not Pressure Them. They Treasure it!” he said.
He argued that terrorists thrive on attention and use it as a tool to spread fear rather than respond to public outrage.
“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. The late British Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher, put it best when she said, ‘Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.’”
Omokri maintained that Davido’s action, while driven by good intentions, could ultimately work in favour of the kidnappers.
“Davido means well, but doing what he did, which I will not elaborate on, because my readers know what I am referring to, actually helps the terrorists who took those children more than it aids the rescue of the kids and their teachers.”
He explained that terrorist groups rely on publicity to amplify fear and strengthen their influence over the public and authorities.
“Terrorists want publicity. That is how they spread terror. If you do not know about their terrifying acts, they can’t have the power of terror over you.”
According to him, heightened attention often shifts pressure away from criminals and onto governments, complicating rescue efforts.
“Publicity, however well-intended, always works in the favour of terrorists by increasing their ability to incite fear in the public and pressure governments to give in to their demands by outraging the global community, who then put pressure, not on the evil terrorists, but on civil governments.”
Omokri also referenced his experience as a presidential spokesman under former President Goodluck Jonathan, claiming that global campaigns during the Chibok girls’ abduction created additional complications for rescue operations.
He said the international spotlight on the case made it more strategically valuable for the abductors.
Omokri further noted that he later stepped back from similar advocacy efforts after receiving advice from security experts who believed extensive publicity could unintentionally increase the value of hostages to their captors.
He added that Nigerian security agencies are actively working on the Oyo abduction case and urged focus on operational efforts rather than global amplification of the incident.
