NIGERIA: King Sunny Ade Debunks Kidnap Rumours, Says He’s Hale and Performing

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Legendary Juju musician, King Sunny Ade, has dispelled widespread rumours about his disappearance and alleged kidnap, assuring fans that he is alive, safe, and actively performing.

The music icon broke his silence in a live video posted by one of his wives, Mrs. Bose Olubo-Adegeye, following a social media uproar triggered by his daughter, Damilola Adeniyi-Adegeye.

Damilola had, on Monday, raised alarm over her father’s whereabouts, accusing her stepbrother, Dayo, described as King Sunny Ade’s manager, of holding the veteran singer hostage and mismanaging his personal and financial affairs.

She also alleged that he had been isolating the singer from his children and stealing from him.

One of her social media posts read: “Dad told my brother that he wants to go home. Where is he? Where are his phones? He has not been online or picking up his calls. Where is he?”

Another said, “I want Dayo (manager) apprehended. I want him to provide all the money they have been stealing from him. He has a UK visa, thinking he can run.”

Responding to the controversy, the 77-year-old maestro stated in the live video, “Nobody kidnapped me. I pray, as I don’t want anybody to kidnap me. I believe that the whole world is in love with me.”

He confirmed performing at an event in Lekki, Lagos, over the weekend and said he was en route to another show. “Music is my life; it is my business, and I will continue to do it,” he declared.

He also expressed gratitude to his children, fans, and well-wishers for their concern, noting that the confusion may have resulted from his children not seeing him recently.

“I didn’t go anywhere. This is me. I thank the children, too, for their concern as well,” he said, assuring Nigerians that he remains committed to his music career.