The family of Ruth Otabor, the sister to celebrity Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, popularly known as Phyna, says the lady on Sunday, August 31, 2025, finally succumbed to fatal injuries sustained from being run over weeks back by a truck belonging to Dangote Cement, owned by African’s richest man.
Dangote Cement’s management has reacted to the death, detailing its efforts on her treatment.
Ruth died at approximately 6:30am on Sunday, the family announced.
The news was officially broken 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 fighting for her life following a tragic accident involving a Dangote truck on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, which led to the amputation of one of her legs.
The family is currently grieving and 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.
The statement read: “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.”
Last week, Phyna cried out in anguish over the fate of Ruth.
Phyna took to social media to call 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 just six days before the incident, underwent an amputation of one leg and risked losing the other.
She further 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,” she said.
“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.
Reacting to the death, the company in a statement yesterday by its management via X said:
“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. On behalf of the entire Dangote Group, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones at this difficult time.
“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.”
