Kidnapping Rumours: King Sunny Ade Thanks God, Children, Fans, Debunks Alleged Abduction

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED

LAGOS, NIGERIA – Juju music icon Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA), has addressed widespread rumors of his alleged abduction, dismissing them as false and malicious.

The 77-year-old music legend expressed gratitude to God, his children, and fans across the globe for their concern.

In a video posted to Facebook on Tuesday, April 27, 2025, KSA explained that he had merely taken time off to rest after performing at an event in Lekki, Lagos, which resulted in him being temporarily unreachable.

“My children, everyone wants to see me. It was during the time I took to rest that I wasn’t accessible, but glory to God, I’m here. I was not kidnapped.

“I’m thankful to my fans for the check-up, support, concern, and love. I’m on my way to a show now”, he stated.

KSA took time to reassure fans and express heartfelt appreciation, saying, “I’m getting ready to talk to my fans now. I’ll be very, very happy to talk to my fans. My people, I thank you, I thank you, and I thank you.”

He continued, “I’m here to talk to my fans because I know they are all concerned about what has been trending about kidnapping or no kidnapping. I’m not kidnapped. Nobody kidnapped me.”

Reflecting on the overwhelming support, KSA added, “I believe that the whole world is in love with me; this is me, King Sunny Ade. I know they love me and I really, really, really have to thank God and thank you people that are concerned.

“So I thank God – nothing to say than to thank God and to thank you people. I only know, since my children are in love with me, they want to see me. I didn’t go anywhere.

“I’m fine. ‘Wọn ò ji mí gbé lọ o, èmi náà ò de gbé’ra mí’ (they didn’t kidnap me, and I also didn’t kidnap myself).”

King Sunny Ade optimistic about his future in music said, “By God’s grace, this is the beginning of the start – or start of the beginning – of the enjoyment to continue. I’m still in the music. Music is my life, it’s my business, and I’ll continue to do it.

“So, there’s nothing I can say than to thank you all for loving me.”

Reiterating his wellbeing, King Sunny Ade emphatically stated that he is “alive and well,” and described the rumours as “falsehood and fabricated news” aimed at damaging his reputation.

Dayo Adeyeye, the son and Manager of the iconic musician, had earlier taken to Instagram on Monday, April 26, 2025, to debunk the widely circulated rumours that suggested King Sunny Ade had been kidnapped.

The denial comes amid growing public concern over King Sunny Ade’s alleged abduction and uncertainty surrounding his current whereabouts. The fears were heightened by allegations made by one of his daughters.

One of the daughters of the juju music icon, Damilola Esther Adeniyi-Adegeye, had earlier raised serious concerns regarding her father’s well-being.

She claimed that King Sunny Ade had been isolated from his family and was under emotional and physical distress.

According to Damilola, King Sunny Ade had become unreachable, with his communications and movements allegedly controlled by his manager and half-brother, Dayo Adeyeye, along with other close associates.

In a post on her Instagram page, Damilola alleged: “King Sunny Ade! Has been kidnapped. The Manager (Dayo) is the culprit, along with his mother, brothers (Demola, Kenny), and his driver Ade.”

In a series of posts on her Instagram handle (@adeniyidamilola), Damilola further alleged that her father had been manipulated into signing performance contracts which he could not fulfill, causing reputational damage.

She also raised alarms over the handling of his finances, accusing the management of excluding family members from his affairs.

“I was angry at my Dad before, thinking he was the one not communicating. But now I see that it’s bigger than I thought and Dad is working under duress now. We need our father back. ASAP!!!”, she wrote in another post.

In response, Dayo Adeyeye categorically denied all the claims. In an official statement, he described the rumour as a malicious attempt to damage the legendary musician’s reputation.

“We want to assure the public that King Sunny Ade is safe and sound. There is no truth to the kidnapping rumour, and we are taking appropriate steps to address the situation and identify those responsible for spreading this false information”, Dayo stated.

Dayo further reassured fans and supporters that the ‘King of World Beats’ is neither abducted nor under any threat.

He emphasized that both the Adegeye family and King Sunny Ade’s management team are committed to putting an end to the falsehoods and safeguarding the icon’s image.

He reaffirmed that King Sunny Ade remains in good health and spirits, with his attention fully focused on his music and enduring legacy.