Ruth Otabor, the sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Phyna, has passed away after a tragic accident involving a Dangote Group truck near Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State.
The family announced her death on Sunday through a statement by Eko Solicitors & Advocates, stating that Ruth passed on Sunday at about 6:30 a.m.
“With a heavy heart, the family regrets to announce the passing on to glory of their daughter, sister, and mother on this 31st Day of August, 2025 at about 06:30Hrs,” the statement read.
The incident occurred on August 13, 2025, just six days after Ruth graduated from the polytechnic, and resulted in the amputation of her leg.
According to eyewitnesses, the heavy-duty truck crushed her leg before it was eventually stopped by a bystander.
Phyna had been demanding justice for her sister, accusing the company of negligence and vowing not to let the matter be swept under the carpet.
Dangote Group had accepted responsibility for the incident, promising comprehensive medical care and appropriate compensation to Ruth’s family.
However, Phyna expressed outrage after the company’s staff posted photos of her injured sister online without permission.
Ruth’s passing has sparked an outpouring of emotions, with fans and fellow celebrities mourning her loss and calling for justice.
The family has requested privacy as they mourn and will communicate funeral arrangements in due course.
“The family is presently grieving and will appreciate to be given a private moment to mourn the departed.
“The funeral arrangement will be communicated to the public in due course,” the statement added.
REacting to the death of Ruth, Nigerian activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman (VDM), in a video posted on Instagram on Sunday, August 31, VDM strongly criticized Nigerians, bloggers, and government agencies for their silence during the period Ruth was battling for her life, only to become vocal after her passing.
He wrote in the caption:
“She is gone now…..let’s make it go viral now,let’s raise the awareness now,let it trend more now,more engagements,more likes,more views,more analysis.”
In the video, he pointed out that Ruth remained in the hospital for 19 days following the tragic accident, yet her situation drew little attention until she eventually died. According to him, had there been earlier pressure on the Dangote Group, the company might have been compelled to take quicker, more responsible action.
VDM also slammed the hypocrisy of social media users who ignored calls for help while Ruth was alive but are now circulating the story widely.
Addressing the Nigerian government and the Dangote Group directly, he condemned the employment of unlicensed drivers by such a powerful corporation and the failure of authorities to enforce accountability, describing it as part of a larger systemic collapse.
He further questioned why Ruth was not flown abroad for urgent medical care and instead was only moved to Lagos, a delay he believes contributed to her death.
Closing his statement, VDM issued a sharp rebuke of the system, stressing that both government institutions and influential corporations had failed ordinary Nigerians once again.
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