On Sunday 11^th October, Davido was in Abuja, his hands raised to the air and his knees pressed to the asphalt of one of the many well-tended roads that crisscross Nigeria’s capital city. Dressed in simple, loose-fitting black garb, and facing a row of police officers armed with assault rifles, David Adedeji Adeleke was many miles from the safety of his Lagos mansion.

In a few of the videos that surfaced online, the 27-year-old was seen shielding protesters behind him while pleading with the security forces. After an officer recognised Davido as one of the country’s most popular musicians – one with a huge international profile – tensions were deflated.

Since early October, protesters across the world’s most populous Black nation – increasingly joined by supporters in cities across the globe – have been demanding that the government scrap the notorious Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS as it is more commonly known. Over recent years, SARS, a tactical unit of the Nigerian police force tasked with fighting robberies, kidnappings and violent crime, has faced widespread allegations of extortion, unlawful arrests and extrajudicial killings.

Although SARS has been dissolved since the protests erupted, the clamour for wider reforms in the police force is undiminished. Many Nigerians believe a new police unit, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), will essentially replace SARS as a new tool for oppression. 

Indeed, the situation on the ground is getting more volatile and deadly. Five days after our interview with Davido, security forces opens fire at protesters in Lagos. Many protesters have shared footage and images of the violence inflicted by the forces. At time of writing, Amnesty International are reporting that at least 12 people were killed.

For all the ongoing unrest, during our Zoom call from Lagos, Davido doesn’t sound like a man in any way shaken by the experience of using himself as a bargaining chip to calm irate protesters and police officers locked in conflict. Speaking in a determined tone, he spends a considerable time extolling the spirit of the #EndSARS protests. 

“It was crazy and emotional, but also a proud moment for me because I didn’t go there as Davido,” he tells me. ​“I went there as a young Nigerian to march with my people on the streets of Abuja. It was all about letting our voices be heard and getting the Inspector General of Police’s attention, as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he says of the lower chambers of the Nigerian parliament, ​“and other people in government.”

Davido’s voice was heard. A day after protesting, he held talks with that Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu. But it turned out to be a polarising incident. On social media many Nigerians questioned the wisdom of a pop star taking a frontline role in a debate as intricate as police reforms. It didn’t help that leaked footage of the meeting appeared to show Davido claiming he hadn’t actually joined an #EndSARS protest.

Davido, though, is undeterred by the criticism. 

“If I don’t talk, it’ll be a problem. If I talk, it’ll be a problem,” he argues. ​“Everybody knows me, apart from these protests and the #EndSARS movement. I’m a leader where I am. I’m not going there for performances. How can I centre myself in something that’s happening across Nigeria? I’ve also come out to say that personally I haven’t had any situation with SARS,” he adds, for the record, ​“so it can’t be about me.” 

He takes a moment to consider his words. ​“The purpose of the protests is bigger than me being bashed on the internet. And as long as the goal is reached, I’m fine. Anyone that puts themself at the forefront of things would get bashed and has to be ready for it.”