The family of veteran Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tubaba, has declared him missing and has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) over his whereabouts.
In the petition signed by the family’s lawyer, Wilson Anuge and made available to journalists on Friday, the Idibia family stated that the singer had been missing since February 10, after he left his residence dressed in his loungewear, suggesting that he was going on his habitual walk but never returned home since then.
Anuge added that all efforts by the singer’s family, staff and management of his record label to reach or locate him since then have proven abortive, hence the decision to declare him missing.
He stated that the singer has never gone missing before nor has he ever abandoned his work for such protracted hours, adding that his sudden disappearance without a word has raised significant alarm among his family and friends who are particularly concerned about his wellbeing, given that it is out of character for him to be out of touch for such an extended period.
“This disturbing discovery and the fact that those who ought to hear from him, have not heard from him for over 72 hours, has left his entire family deeply concerned,” the lawyer said in the petition.
“Adding to the family’s distress, are the calls from several of his close friends who have received messages from what appears to be his social media accounts soliciting financial assistance.
“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.
“The implications of this situation are grave, and the possibility of foul play or 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.
“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 traumatized, 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.
“Our humble request is that you intervene urgently to investigate, locate and rescue the Victim from wherever the Suspect is currently detaining him,” he added.
