Oyo Abductions: Kalu Aja Criticizes Omokri for Moral Comments

Financial adviser and educator Kalu Aja has publicly criticized Nigeria’s Ambassador‑Designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, for remarks he made about advocating for abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Aja accused Omokri of contradicting his earlier support for abducted victims, citing the ambassador’s past advocacy for Leah Sharibu.

“Reno Omokri advocated for Leah Sharibu when she was abducted. Today, he is an ambassador without a base and says publicity for abducted children is the ‘oxygen of terrorism.’ A man without a moral anchor,” Aja wrote.

The criticism followed Omokri’s comments that were directed at Afrobeats star Davido for drawing international attention to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Davido had used his outfit during a FIFA World Cup countdown concert to highlight the plight of the victims, displaying their names and calling for urgent government intervention.

Responding, Omokri argued that extensive publicity surrounding kidnapping and terrorism cases could aid perpetrators rather than secure the release of victims.

He said terrorists thrive on attention and publicity, citing former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s statement that “publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.”

Omokri claimed that global outrage over such incidents often shifts pressure from the perpetrators to governments while amplifying the psychological impact of terrorist activities.

However, Aja condemned Omokri’s comments, accusing him of double standards.