Afrobeats sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, recently shared a memorable story about how Nigerian security agencies launched a nationwide search for him when he absconded from home as a teenager to pursue his music career.
In a candid interview on the American podcast Bagfuel Brigade, Davido recounted living alone with his father, billionaire businessman Deji Adeleke, in a massive 16-bedroom mansion following the passing of his mother, with his siblings studying abroad. During this time, the artist secretly set up a recording studio in the mansion, using it to create music away from his father’s knowledge.
Tired of concealing his passion, Davido eventually fled to London, where he lived with a producer friend for six months. Meanwhile, back in Nigeria, his family began a frantic search for him, involving immigration officers, the police, the army, and other security agencies.
He explained, “I was living alone with my dad in a 16-bedroom mansion because all my siblings were in America. I had a studio in the house and he didn’t know. A complete studio where I spent most of my time making music and smoking.”
Davido continued, “I left the mansion for about six months. My dad was looking for me — the army, immigration officers, every security agency in Nigeria was looking for Dr. Deji Adeleke’s son, which is me.”
He further revealed that upon his return from London, he had no intention of going home. However, as he stepped out of the airport, an army officer approached him and escorted him to where his father and other uniformed men were waiting. Expecting a scolding, Davido was instead met with a warm embrace from his father, who was relieved and happy to see him.
