Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has called for urgent and collective action to end the recurring attacks on communities in Benue State.

The singer made the call on Wednesday during a visit to Otukpo-Nobi, one of the communities recently attacked in Otukpo Local Government Area.

Gunmen invaded Otukpo-Nobi on July 12, 2026, leaving several residents dead and others injured.

Police confirmed eight deaths, while Amnesty International reported that at least 10 people were killed.

Other reports placed the wider death toll from attacks on Otukpo-Nobi and nearby Akpachi community at 18.
The violence also sparked protests, with residents demanding stronger protection and a decisive response from the government.

During his visit, 2Baba met members of the affected community and sympathised with families who lost loved ones.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, the Benue State native said the suffering of the people was personal to him.

“Benue is home. When home hurts, we all feel it. Today is about standing together, listening, and reminding one another that hope is never lost,” he wrote.

Addressing residents, the singer said the continued loss of lives had become unbearable and must no longer be treated as normal.

“It’s becoming too much now, we can’t pretend anymore. We need to begin planning. It won’t be automatic but there is definitely going to be a solution,” he said.

2Baba stressed that no individual or institution could resolve the crisis alone.

He called on residents, community leaders, security agencies and government officials to work together to find a lasting solution.

“It’s not going to be one person, we all need to come together and fight it. I came to sympathise with you all. It’s painful,” he added.

Benue has endured repeated attacks linked to disputes over land, farming and grazing.

The crisis has grown more complex over the years, with armed groups attacking rural communities, destroying livelihoods and forcing residents to leave their homes.

Farmers have accused herders of allowing cattle to destroy their crops, while herders have also reported attacks on their livestock and communities.

However, security experts have warned that describing every incident as a simple clash between farmers and herders fails to capture the scale of organised violence and criminal activity in the state.

Benue’s importance as one of Nigeria’s major food-producing states has also raised concerns about the wider impact of the violence.

Persistent attacks have stopped many farmers from accessing their land, disrupted local markets and placed additional pressure on food production.

The July 12 attack was followed by another deadly incident in Efeyi village, also in Otukpo Local Government Area, on July 28.

At least 14 people were killed in that attack, according to local officials quoted by Reuters.

The recurring violence has increased calls for permanent security bases, better intelligence gathering and faster responses to distress calls from rural communities.

Amnesty International has also urged Nigerian authorities to investigate the attacks and ensure that those responsible face justice.