BBNaija Phyna Deactivates Her Instagram Page After Sister’s Tragic Death: “People Were Bashing Her”

BBNaija Phyna Deactivates Her Instagram Page After Sister’s Tragic Death: “People Were Bashing Her”

  • Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Phyna has deactivated her Instagram account, while grieving the loss of her younger sister, Ruth Otabor
  • A recent check revealed that the account was no longer accessible, implying that the reality TV personality might have taken an intentional break from social media
  • This came barely hours after the reality TV star’s younger sister passed away, leaving behind two children

BBNaija Phyna, whose real name is Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, has disabled her Instagram account following the tragic loss of her younger sister, Ruth Otabor.

A check on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, revealed that her account was no longer accessible, implying that she may have taken a deliberate hiatus from social media to grieve and seek privacy.

BBNaija’s Phyna deactivates Instagram following sister’s untimely death
Phyna disappears from Instagram after her sister Ruth Otabor's tragic death. Credit: @unusualphyna, @alikodangote
Source: Instagram

As Legit.ng previously reported on Sunday, August 31, 2025, the family confirmed Ruth’s tragic death in a statement issued by Eko Solicitors & Advocates at approximately 6.30am

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The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, when a Dangote Group truck hit Ruth outside Auchi Polytechnic in Edo state. The impact severely injured her leg, leading to an amputation.

In a public statement, the Dangote Group expressed its sincere sadness over the event and verified that Ruth was receiving financial and medical support, with arrangements in place to transfer her to India for further treatment. However, she passed away despite these efforts.

Fans speculated that Phyna’s decision to deactivate her Instagram stemmed from a desire to grieve privately during this emotional and painful period or from the need to escape public scrutiny and commentary amidst the tragedy.

See the account below:

Reactions as Phyna deletes IG account

Legit.ng compiled the reactions below:

adaeze_ezeoma said:

"I feel so much for her. People were bashing her, no one knows the confusion that comes with handling such problem. But our social media messiah was concern on how she betrayed him without understanding her confused state. May we never be in such situation in life😢."

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Phyna's late sister Ruth Otabor to be immortalised as NAPS pledges scholarship for her 2 children

adore_by_ayeesha said:

"E reach cos everyone is moving mad. Chai! I pray no one gets to experience this. This engagement farming has turned people to heartless animals."

ussymay4 said:

"She needs it at this time😢."

primrosedodo said:

"May God continue to strengthen, and her in Jesus name 🙏🙏🙏."

ironbarlyn said:

"So sorry Phyna,i guess you need that sanity for emotional and challenging period.I pray the lord to comfort you and all yours."
obrus.mados
"Una too dey tag her. And na negative comments..."

aspire_reim said:

"Nigerians turned social media to their real life & it’s nothing good that ever came out of it…."

mademen.pt said:

"It's not about deactivating, it's about changing character for good."

_tamsluxe.ng_ said:

"She might actually be feeling some quilt rn😢😢."

jacobjoe1300 said:

"Just watch rats take credit for this. Agents of b!tterness and destruct!on. They are allergic to peace and harmony.🐀🐀🐀."

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Phyna’s sister’s death: Seun Kuti condemns Dangote’s statement on viral tragic incident

nwunye_bigman1 said:

"I've never commented on anything that has to do with her . She needs a long break and relocation if possible , she has been through alot I pray God helps her ."
BBNaija winner Phyna deactivates Instagram amid family heartbreak
Fans sympathise with BBNaija Phyna as she deletes Instagram account following sister's death. Credit: @unusualphyna
Source: Instagram

Dangote Group mourns Phyna's sister

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Dangote Group reacted to the death of Ruth Otabor.

Reacting via its official X handle, the management expressed grief over the event, calling it a tragic loss.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ruth Otabor, who was injured in the recent road incident involving one of our trucks in Auchi, Edo State," the conglomerate statement read in part.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Chinasa Afigbo avatar

Chinasa Afigbo (Entertainment Editor) Chinasa Afigbo is a pop culture/music journalist and content writer with over four years of experience in other mainstream media organisations, including Vanguard Media and Guardian Life. She holds a degree in Information Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). She also moved on to pursue courses in writing & media communications. Chinasa has also been published in other Intl journals, like The African Report. Reach her at: chinasa.afigbo@corp.legit.ng.