Public outrage has trailed Nigerian music stars David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and Omoniyi ‘Zlatan’ Raphael after they shared social media posts celebrating the violent Black Axe cult group on July 7.
Black Axe, also known as the Neo-Black Movement, is linked to killings, drug trafficking, and other crimes across Nigerian campuses. The group marks its anniversary on July 7, known as “7/7” or “Aiye Day,” despite yearly police warnings against such gatherings.
Davido posted “Happy Metal” on X, while Zlatan shared “7/7 🖤💛,” both widely interpreted as nods to the cult group.
Their posts drew condemnation online. One user, @Osagie_jnr, said: “Posts like these reinvigorate these people… Please, do better.” Another user, @sir_Jordan, declared a break from supporting Davido, citing concerns for his “spiritual safety.”
@Emmasonn wrote, “It’s wrong to promote cultism… You have many young people looking up to you.”
Similar backlash met Zlatan’s post, with @OyinTGSPE saying, “Cultism is not a flex… you’re spoiling other people’s sons.”