People from Dangote Group have taken the remains of Ruth Otabor, the younger sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Phyna, from a Lagos-based hospital where she passed away, it was learnt.
The family of Ruth Otabor announced her passing on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m.
The family broke the news of her passing to the public through Eko Solicitors & Advocates, who represents the Otabor family, including Josephine Otabor, Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, popularly known as Phyna.
Ruth Otabor, a recent graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, had been battling for her life after a tragic accident involving a Dangote truck on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The accident led to the amputation of one of her legs.
The grieving family has requested privacy to mourn their daughter, sister, and mother.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced and will be communicated to the public in due course.
Justice Segun Ojienoh, representing Eko Solicitors and Advocates, confirmed the family’s instructions to release the statement to the public.
“We remain Solicitors to Ruth Otabor, Josephine Otabor (whose moniker is: Phyna) and the Otabor Family and have their instruction to inform the public of this,” Ojienoh said.
“With a heavy heart the Family of regrets to announce the passing on to glory of their Daughter, Sister, Mother on this 31st Day of August, 2025 at about 06:30Hrs.
“The Family is presently grieving and will appreciate to be given a private moment to mourn the departed.”
However, the representatives of Dangote Group have been contacted and notified about the demise of Ruth. The representatives responded and took the corpse to a mortuary, according to sources close to the grieving family.
There is also the expectation that the Dangote group will bear the expenses of her burial, having stepped in since the incident occurred to take over her medical cost of treatment.
… Dangote Group commiserates with Otabor family
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has expressed sadness over the death of Ruth Otabor.
In a release on Sunday, the company stated, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ruth Otabor, who was injured in the recent road incident involving one of our trucks in Auchi, Edo State.”
It noted that since the August 13 accident, its officials and insurance partners had covered Ruth’s medical expenses and provided financial support to the family.
It lamented that Ruth died after arrangements were already in place to fly her abroad for advanced treatment.
“Since the accident, our officials and insurance partners have been by her side, covering all financial and medical costs and supporting her family. Arrangements had been made for her to be flown to India for advanced treatment, pending medical clearance from her doctors. Sadly, despite these efforts and Ruth’s brave fight to live, we lost her today,” the Dangote Group stated.
The group, however, reiterated its commitment to safety and accountability, even as it extended condolences to the Otabor family.
“At Dangote Group, safety, accountability, and compassion remain at the core of our operations. We remain committed to strengthening our safety systems and supporting those affected in moments of tragedy. May God grant her mercy and eternal rest,” the statement concluded.
The Daily Crucible reports that last week, Phyna cried out in anguish over the uncertain fate of her sister, Ruth.
Taking to social media, Phyna called out Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, after a truck linked to his company crushed her sister in Auchi, Edo State
.
The victim, who had graduated a day short of a week before the incident, underwent an amputation of one leg and was on the verge of losing the other.
Phyna also accused the Dangote Group of attempting to shield those responsible for the accident.
“Dangote is gambling with my sister’s life. Her lungs, bladder, and reproductive organs are gone. Our agreement was that my sister should be taken to Lagoon Hospital in Lagos so they could stabilise her before flying her out for medical treatment.
“Now that she is at Lagoon, Dangote Group is saying they need a statement from the hospital confirming they can’t handle her case and that she’s fit to travel. If it were Dangote’s child in Ruth’s condition, would he not fly her out?” she asked bitterly,” she had stated.
