Innocent Ujah Idibia, the award-winning Nigerian artist professionally known as 2Face Idibia or 2Baba, has moved swiftly to dismiss circulating reports of his arrest in the British capital, attributing his failure to appear at a Thursday night concert to what he described as a “medical emergency.”
The 49-year-old “African Queen” hitmaker took to social media Friday morning to address mounting speculation after rumors surfaced alleging he had been detained by London Metropolitan Police following a domestic disturbance involving his wife, Natasha Osawaru.
In a video statement posted to his Instagram account, the visibly concerned artist refuted the arrest claims categorically, labeling them as “false” before explaining the circumstances behind his absence from the stage.
“We had a medical emergency,” 2Baba stated in the brief video, his tone suggesting the gravity of the situation. The singer appeared to be speaking candidly to his fanbase, acknowledging the disappointment caused to both event organizers and attendees who had turned out for what was billed as part of his London tour.
Despite the setback, the multiple-award winner sought to reassure disappointed fans that the performance would be rescheduled. “It was tough for the show organizers, and everybody that came out, we go rebook, we go come out with meaning to happen,” he said, lapsing into Nigerian Pidgin English – a linguistic choice that underscored his direct appeal to his core audience.
The nature and severity of the medical emergency were not disclosed in his statement, leaving questions unanswered about whether the situation involved the artist himself, a family member, or someone in his entourage.
Concluding his address, 2Baba made an impassioned appeal to social media users and gossip merchants, urging restraint in the absence of verified facts. “And please, if you know sabi something, make una no talk I beg,” he pleaded – a Pidgin expression roughly translating to “if you don’t know anything [for certain], please don’t speak.”
This plea reflects growing frustration among public figures with the speed at which unverified information spreads across digital platforms, often causing reputational damage before facts can be established.
The arrest allegations had gained significant traction on Nigerian social media and entertainment blogs throughout Friday morning, with multiple outlets reporting that 2Baba had been taken into custody following a “heated argument” with his wife at their London accommodation. However, no official statement from the Metropolitan Police has emerged to substantiate these claims, and no credible eyewitness accounts have been presented.
The timing of the rumors – coinciding with the artist’s conspicuous absence from a scheduled performance – created a perfect storm of speculation that the singer has now sought to quell with his direct intervention.
As of press time, no further details about the medical emergency have been released, nor has a new date been announced for the rescheduled London performance. Fans who purchased tickets for Thursday’s show are advised to retain their tickets pending an official announcement from the tour organizers.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigerian music star 2Baba has firmly denied reports of his arrest in London, clarifying that a medical emergency—not a domestic dispute—forced him to cancel his Thursday concert.
The arrest rumors are false. The artist has promised to reschedule the show and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information. No official police statement supports the arrest claims, and details about the medical emergency remain undisclosed.
