By Calista Oyeoba / Posted September 3, 2025
Nigerian actress and winner of the Big Brother Naija Season 7 reality show, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, known professionally as Phyna, has deactivated her Instagram account days after her younger sister Ruth Otabor passed away.
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
Ruth died on August 31 2025 just six days before graduation, after a tragic accident involving one of Dangote Group’s truck near Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.
The accident which sparked social media storm, left Ruth with severe leg injuries, leading to an amputation. Before efforts to fly her abroad for further treatment could materialize, she succumbed to her injuries. Phyna announced her sister’s death in a heartfelt post, and fans flooded social media with condolences.
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
Phyna’s decision to deactivate her Instagram account likely rises from her desire to grieve privately during this emotional period or reduce intense public attention. Some fans have speculated that the strong sentiments she received on social media might have influenced to her decision to lay low, for now. Expectedly, some fans sympathized and identified with Phyna at this testy time, urging her to take her time to heal, while others criticized the public’s behavior.
The Dangote Group expressed sadness over Ruth’s death and had offered financial and medical support including arrangements for her treatment in India but every gesture was cut short by the victim’s subsequent death.
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
Phyna’s fans and colleagues have continued to pour condolences and words of encouragement, maintain equanimity and stable mental condition during this period.
NOTE: Calista is a Trainee-journalist who contributes regularly to DDNEWSONLINE.COM from the Department of Mass Communication, Ekocity Polytechnic, Lagos