In the wake of the recent, deeply distressing abduction of over 40 schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, the global stage of the World Cup countdown became an unexpected focal point for Nigerian consciousness. Afrobeats icon Davido utilised his massive platform to wear the names of these stolen citizens, demanding that they be brought home.

In response, critics—most notably Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri—have argued that taking Nigeria’s internal security crises to an international audience is a strategic error. The core of their argument rests on the premise that "publicity is the oxygen of terrorism," and that highlighting these tragedies "de-markets" the nation while giving dangerous visibility to bandits.

As an organisation dedicated to international advocacy, peace, and social justice, PSJ UK feels compelled to clarify a dangerous conflation in this narrative: We must never confuse advocacy for victims with publicity for terrorists.

Silence has never saved a hostage, and obscurity has never deterred a warlord. Injustice thrives in the dark—which is precisely why we refer to this ongoing crisis as a Silent Slaughter.

To suggest that a global figure should remain silent about mass abductions to preserve a nation’s "brand" is to fundamentally misunderstand both the nature of patriotism and the mechanics of international accountability.

The Names on the Stage Were Victims, Not Terrorists 

The argument that public outcry gives "oxygen" to bandits falls flat upon closer inspection of what actually occurred on stage. The names displayed did not belong to the perpetrators of violence; they belonged to innocent children and educators torn from their classrooms.

Davido did not glorify a terrorist syndicate; he humanised a tragedy. When the state and domestic media spaces risk becoming desensitised to regular mass abductions, international platforms become the only megaphone left for the vulnerable. Turning off the spotlight does not starve the bandit; it merely abandons the victim to a quiet, forgotten fate.

Global Pressure is a Catalyst, Not a Hindrance

History demonstrates that governments—particularly in developing democracies—are highly sensitive to international reputation. When domestic cries for help are ignored or suppressed, it is often global attention that jolts state actors out of complacency.

International advocacy does not elevate the bandit. Instead, it signals to international allies, human rights bodies, and global leadership that tactical, logistical, and intelligence intervention is urgently required. It holds the state accountable to its primary constitutional mandate: the security and welfare of its people.

Human Lives Take Precedence Over "PR and Marketing"

There is a growing, troubling sentiment that Nigeria must be "marketed" positively at all costs, pointing to international streamers and tourists as the standard of how we should present ourselves.

But a nation cannot be authentically marketed abroad while its schools are being raided at home. True patriotism does not mean putting a glossy veneer over a bleeding wound. True patriotism is the willingness to look at our collective pain, acknowledge it on any stage available, and demand better for our citizens. Human lives cannot be treated as collateral damage for the sake of national public relations.

Moving Forward: A Call for Substance Over Feuds

As this debate rages across social media, PSJ UK urges all public figures—whether they hold diplomatic titles or cultural crowns—to move away from personal insults and return to the substance of the crisis.

The issue at hand is not who won an argument on Instagram. The issue is that over 40 human beings are currently sitting in a forest, terrified, wondering if their country remembers them.

We commend any global voice that refuses to let Nigeria’s vulnerable bleed in silence. We must keep the spotlight burning bright until every single child is safely brought home.

About PSJUK

The International Organisation for Peace Building and Social Justice (PSJ UK) is a non-profit advocacy organisation dedicated to promoting peace, human rights, and structural accountability. Through international awareness campaigns, policy engagement, and grassroots support, PSJ UK works to eradicate systemic violence, amplify the voices of victims of the Silent Slaughter, and advocate for the protection and security of vulnerable communities across Nigeria and globally.