- Family petitions DSS, claims he’s been missing since Feb 10
- Mother begs Edo lawmaker Osawaru to ‘free’ him
- Singer proposes to new lover days after separation from wife
Nigerian music star, Innocent Ujah Idibia, also known as 2Baba or Tuface Idibia, has been in the news since he quit his 12 years old marriage with Annie Macaulay about 17 days ago.
The singer had on January 27, 2025 announced separation from Annie, saying they were both awaiting divorce.
The 49-year-old singer, who made the announcement via his verified Instagram account, noted that he and Annie had been separated for a while. Although he did not give details of the cause of their impending divorce, he promised to release a detailed press statement on the issue much later.
He said: “Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. Well, this thing I have to say is short but also long. Annie Macaulay and I have been separated for a while and have filed for divorce,” he said.
“I would grant a press release soon to say my story—not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life, but because I love my people, and I need them to know my innocence or offence.
“Stay blessed, my people. I love you all.”
The import of Tuface’s announcement of separation from Annie had barely sunk in when the news filtered that the singer is romantically involved with the Deputy Majority Leader of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Natasha Osawaru. It was, however, quickly discarded by Osawaru’s media aide, who described it as a figment of the writer’s imagination.
While many were still wondering about the veracity of the story or otherwise, 2baba surprised his fans with another announcement, maintaining his impending divorce from Annie. In the same video, he professed love to Hon. Osawaru and went on to create a stir in the Edo State House of Assembly during the week.
A day after the stir, a video of Tuface and Hon. Osawaru surfaced online. The viral video had the singer and Ms Osawaru dancing together inside a house, surrounded by friends.
The short video also captured him performing a song before presenting a ring to the lawmaker.
Although Hon. Natasha neither accepted the ring nor gave a response to 2Baba’s gesture, they both shared a long embrace.
But if Tuface was having fun cuddling Natasha, it was nothing for the musician’s mother, Rose Idibia, to cheer about. Rather, she alleged in a video that Hon Osawaru had cast a spell on her son.
The singer’s mother claimed he was not in his right senses when he proposed to the 30-year-old lawmaker and pleaded with her to release him. And in a move that seemed to reinforce Madam Idibia’s claims, the singer’s family yesterday filed a petition with the State Security Services (SSS), declaring him missing.
The petition signed by Wilson Anuge on behalf of Anuge, Anuge & Co. reads: “We are writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a profoundly troubling situation involving a member of the Idibia Family, Mr Innocent Idibia (also known as Tuface or 2Baba) who our client reasonably believe may be missing since Monday 10 February, 2025.
“We believe that Mr Innocent left his residence in the early hours of 10 February 2025 in his loungewear, suggestive that he was going on his habitual walk, but never returned home since then.
“Despite the best efforts of members of his family, his staff and management of his record label to reach or locate him, including reaching out to his friends and acquaintances, they have been unable to establish any contact or ascertain his whereabouts.”
“By reason of his celebrity status, it’s established protocol for Mr Innocent to be accompanied by protective guards wherever he goes. However, on the day he was last seen, he left his residence unaccompanied by his protective guards, his Personal Assistant, or any of his staff.
“This disturbing discovery and the fact that those who ought to hear from him have not heard from him for over 72 hours left his entire family deeply concerned.
“Mr Innocent is a responsible individual, a family man and a dedicated artist who is very passionate about his art and often dedicates the better part of his time to songwriting, recording, and other studio-related activities.
“He’s never gone missing before, nor has he ever abandoned his work for such protracted hours.”
In another breath, the Idibia family claimed that the singer’s sudden disappearance suggests he may have been abducted.
“These messages are alarming, as Mr Innocent is financially independent and has never required assistance in such a manner.
“This has led his family to suspect that his identity may have been compromised and that someone may have abducted him and is actively manipulating him to exploit his contacts for monetary gain.
“Adding to the family’s distress are the calls from several of his close friends that have received messages from what appears to be his social media account, soliciting financial assistance.
“The implications of this situation are grave, and the possibility of foul play and coercion cannot be overlooked.
“As a family, our clients are deeply worried not only about his physical safety but also about the potential misuse of his identity while he remains unaccounted for.
“In light of the above, I earnestly request the intervention of the Department of State Services to assist in locating Mr Innocent.
“Our humble request is that you intervene urgently to investigate, locate and rescue the victim from wherever the suspect is currently detaining him.
“We anticipate your unalloyed cooperation in this regard.
“It is worthy of note that the victim is a legend and holds a celebrity status in the Nigerian music industry, and whom countless youths and citizens emulate, not to mention the victim’s wife, children, relations and employees who have become traumatised, and his musical empire which is now rendered comatose as a direct consequence of the suspect’s criminal act of abducting the victim and rendering him incommunicado.”
Annie has remained silent since the announcement.
