Reports that the Iya Oge of Lagos, Mrs Opral Benson, is missing have been dismissed as false by a close associate of the respected nonagenarian.
The associate, described as a long-time family friend, said Mrs Benson, who is over 90 years old, is safe and currently outside Nigeria.
According to her, the widely circulated claims that the Lagos social icon had been missing since January 13 are the handiwork of mischief makers.
The rumours gained traction following the appearance of a flyer purportedly issued by the Benson family, calling on members of the public to assist in locating Mrs Benson and describing the matter as urgent.
However, speaking on the condition of anonymity, the associate said there was no cause for alarm, stressing that Mrs Benson travelled to Monrovia, Liberia, to visit relatives.
She explained that the Iya Oge is in the company of her daughter, Precious, and her aide, Dorcas.
“Nothing is wrong. Mama Opral is in Monrovia visiting family members.
”The flyer circulating online did not come from us and should be ignored,” she said, attributing the development to sensationalism.
Her account aligned with an earlier statement credited to Jimi Olusola, Chief Executive Officer of the African Refugees Foundation (AREF), who also dismissed the missing-person narrative.
Further scrutiny of the controversial poster revealed that it bore a publication date of January 13, 2025, raising questions about its authenticity and whether it was recycled or deliberately misrepresented to mislead the public.
Mrs Benson, fondly known as the Iya Oge of Lagos, is a prominent figure in Lagos social and cultural circles, and the reports of her alleged disappearance had sparked concern before being firmly debunked.
