Nigerian singer missing after releasing anti-corruption song

Ado-Halliru-Daukaka

Ado Halliru Daukaka

The Nigeria Police are searching for a popular Hausa singer, Ado Halliru Daukaka, who went missing on Friday.

Ado Halliru Daukaka
Ado Halliru Daukaka

Othman Abubakar, the police spokesman in Nigeria’s north-eastern state of Adamawa, said the security agencies were doing their best to find the singer who disappeared after releasing a song highlighting incompetence and corruption among politicians.

His song titled “Gyara kayanka”, meaning “Let us do the right thing” in Hausa, points out how politicians make promises and never fulfil them.

One of his wives Hadiza Dauda told the BBC that Mr. Daukaka was visited by unknown people in the early hours of Friday and that was the last time the family had set eyes on him.

In tears, she said, “We have been searching for him. His phone is off. We are doing all possible but there is no sign of him. We are appealing to everyone to please help us find him. We are afraid for his life.”

In northern Nigeria, singers have a huge influence and their songs can sway political leanings.

These days, their songs are shared using mobile phones, giving them an even wider reach.

Abdullahi Mustapha, a human rights activist, told the BBC that “Politicians don’t like criticism. All they want is praise of their names.”

Friends and fans of Ado Daukaka have taken to social media urging people to pray for the missing singer.

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