Damilola Adeniyi, daughter of legendary jùjú musician King Sunny Ade, has made alarming claims that her father has been kidnapped, Apples Bite Magazine reports. The allegations, which have been spreading across social media over the past 48 hours, specifically target the musician’s manager, Dayo, as the mastermind behind the alleged abduction.
According to multiple posts on Damilola’s Instagram account, she alleges that King Sunny Ade is being forced to work under duress and has lost control of his finances. “King Sunny Ade has been kidnapped, the manager (Dayo) is the culprit, along with his mother, brothers (Demola), (KENNY) and his driver Ade,” she wrote in one of several distressing messages.
Family Conflict Revealed
In her detailed accusations, Damilola has revealed that Dayo is actually King Sunny Ade’s half-brother, adding a complex family dimension to the situation. She claims that her father has been deliberately kept unreachable for an extended period, with Dayo and other siblings effectively controlling the musician’s movements and finances under the guise of management.
Particularly concerning are allegations that these individuals have been scheduling numerous performances for the iconic musician but intentionally causing him to miss these engagements. “They had been making her father sign up for many gigs but failing to perform, thereby creating a different image for KSA as ‘somewhat irresponsible,'” Damilola stated. This practice could potentially damage the legendary performer’s professional reputation and relationships within the industry.
Financial Control and Isolation
The daughter further alleges that Dayo and his associates maintain exclusive control over King Sunny Ade’s finances “at the expense of his biological children.” In another post where she tagged relevant authorities, Damilola demanded: “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 away.”
What prompted Damilola’s urgent public campaign was a disturbing final phone conversation with her father. She reports that during their last communication, King Sunny Ade sounded distressed before the phone was abruptly taken away from him. Since that alarming incident, she claims to have been unable to reach him directly.
Desperate Plea for Help
Damilola has launched what she describes as a “personal rigorous campaign” for her father’s welfare, though she laments that her concerns have largely been ignored. A visit to her Instagram page (@adeniyidamilola) reveals numerous posts documenting her efforts, including several where she has tagged Nigerian police authorities seeking intervention. She has also published the names and photographs of those she believes are responsible for what she terms “wickedness” against the globally renowned musician.
For complete transparency in this serious matter, observers note that the accused parties should allow King Sunny Ade to make a public appearance confirming his wellbeing and freedom. Additionally, they should explain why the musician has allegedly been kept isolated from his family and why he has reportedly missed scheduled performances.
Call for Investigation
Industry watchers and concerned citizens are calling for the Nigerian police to take these allegations seriously and investigate the situation thoroughly. King Sunny Ade, born Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, is a Grammy-nominated artist widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential musicians. His career spans several decades, during which he pioneered and popularized the Nigerian jùjú music genre internationally.
“KSA is not a local act and definitely not an unknown quantity. He is not one to be treated just anyhow. He may truly need help,” stated one concerned commentator familiar with the situation.
As of now, neither King Sunny Ade’s management team nor Nigerian authorities have issued an official statement regarding these allegations. The situation continues to develop as fans of the iconic musician express growing concern across social media platforms.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.