Ruth Otabor, the younger sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Phyna, has died following severe injuries sustained in a road accident involving a Dangote truck in Edo State.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, near Auchi Polytechnic — just six days after Ruth completed her final examinations at the institution.
Eyewitnesses said the Dangote truck lost control and rammed into Ruth, causing life-threatening injuries. She was quickly rushed to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, where doctors had to amputate her left leg to try to save her life.
Despite the emergency surgery, Ruth’s condition deteriorated, and she was later moved to Lagoon Hospital in Lagos for advanced treatment. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries despite all medical efforts.
The accident has sparked an outpouring of grief from family, friends, and fans of Phyna, who rose to fame after winning the Big Brother Naija reality show in 2022. Many have expressed shock over the tragic turn of events, especially given that Ruth had just completed her studies and was looking forward to the next chapter of her life.
Social media has been flooded with condolence messages, with many Nigerians also calling for stricter regulation of heavy-duty trucks on public roads, especially those operated by large companies such as Dangote Group.
This incident is one of several recent accidents involving trucks across Nigeria, which have raised concerns about road safety, vehicle maintenance, and driver training. Road users often complain about the recklessness of truck drivers and the lack of enforcement of traffic laws, especially in states with high traffic volumes.
While the Dangote Group is yet to issue a formal statement on the incident, many are urging the company to take full responsibility, support the grieving family, and put measures in place to prevent future tragedies.
Phyna has not made a public statement at the time of this report, but sources close to the family say she is devastated by the loss.
Calls for justice and accountability continue to grow, as Nigerians mourn the loss of another young life cut short by road negligence.
