Phyna Goes Offline in Grief: BBNaija Star Deactivates Social Media Accounts After Devastating Loss of Sister Ruth – “We Need Privacy to Mourn”
In a move that’s left fans heartbroken and concerned, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Season 7 winner Phyna has deactivated her social media accounts following the tragic death of her younger sister, Ruth Otabor, on August 31. The 28-year-old reality star, real name Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, whose outspoken presence on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) has been a hallmark of her post-BBNaija career, appears to have stepped away from the digital spotlight to grieve privately, as confirmed by multiple reports and fan observations after her final post announcing Ruth’s passing. This sudden withdrawal comes amid intense public scrutiny, family revelations, and a high-profile feud with activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), amplifying the emotional toll on Phyna and her family.
Ruth, a 21-year-old recent graduate from Auchi Polytechnic and mother of two, succumbed to severe injuries sustained in a horrific accident on August 13 near the institution in Edo State. Eyewitnesses described how a Dangote Cement truck, allegedly driven by an unlicensed operator, crushed her leg, leading to an above-the-knee amputation and life-threatening complications to her chest, pelvis, lungs, and reproductive organs. Despite transfers to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and later Lagoon Hospital in Lagos, Ruth passed away at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, just 19 days after the crash. Phyna’s last social media activity was a somber press statement via her Instagram page, shared through family lawyers Eko Solicitors & Advocates, which read: “With a heavy heart, the family regrets to announce the passing on to glory of their daughter, sister, and mother… The Family is presently grieving and would appreciate being given a private moment to mourn the departed. The funeral arrangements will be communicated to the public in due course.” Since then, her profiles – including @unusualphyna on Instagram with over 1.5 million followers – have been inaccessible, signaling deactivation rather than a temporary privacy setting.
Fans and netizens quickly noticed the change, flooding comment sections on related posts with messages of support and speculation. “Phyna’s pages are down – she’s really hurting. Give her space, Phynation,” one supporter tweeted under #JusticeForRuth, a hashtag that’s trended amid calls for accountability. Another added, “From fighting for justice online to going ghost… this loss is too much. Praying for Phyna and family.” The deactivation aligns with the family’s plea for privacy, but it also follows a whirlwind of drama that may have contributed to her decision. Phyna had been vocal in the aftermath of the accident, accusing Dangote Group of delays in providing advanced treatment like an airlift to India and even threatening protests. Her alliance with VDM soured spectacularly, with him accusing her of “greed” for allegedly prioritizing a ₦1 billion compensation over Ruth’s immediate care, claiming in a viral video: “To Phyna, greed was the problem; her sister would still be alive if not for that.” Phyna hit back, labeling VDM a “manipulator” for leaking private chats and ignoring her calls, while content creator Izzy Ogbeide blamed him for shifting focus from the family’s plight.
Adding to the turmoil, Ruth’s partner, Daniel Adebo, broke his silence in a viral interview, alleging he was sidelined by Phyna despite paying her tuition for three years and fathering their children. “I had to seek Phyna’s permission to visit Ruth in Lagos,” he claimed, sparking debates on family dynamics and further online harassment toward Phyna. Celebrities like Mercy Eke, who wished Dangote had “embraced Ruth as their own,” Kate Henshaw demanding justice, and Bobrisky criticizing Phyna’s involvement with VDM, rallied with condolences, but the negativity appears to have overwhelmed her. Toyin Lawani urged, “Mute out any unnecessary opinions,” echoing the sentiment as Phyna’s pages went dark.
Dangote Group issued a statement expressing “deep sadness,” claiming they covered all medical costs and had arranged the India flight pending clearance, but critics including Seun Kuti condemned their response as insincere, highlighting systemic road safety failures in Nigeria where over 5,000 die annually from accidents (FRSC data). The FRSC pledged retraining for Dangote drivers, but questions linger over the unlicensed driver’s release and unreported similar incidents.
Phyna, who won BBNaija “Level Up” in 2022 with a ₦100 million prize and has since built a brand in endorsements and Nollywood, has faced personal challenges before, from her orphanage upbringing to public feuds. This deactivation – a common coping mechanism for celebrities under duress – underscores the double-edged sword of social media fame. As Phynation mobilizes prayers and vows to support her return, the focus shifts to funeral plans and potential legal action against Dangote. In her absence, the conversation rages on X under #PhynaStrong and #RIPRuthOtabor, but one message rings clear: grief knows no platform.
Our deepest condolences to Phyna and the Otabor family. Stay tuned for updates on funeral arrangements via reliable channels.