Reports regarding the disappearance of Opral Benson, the revered Iya Oge of Lagos, initially caused alarm as her family declared her missing for over 48 hours. A public notice issued on Sunday stated that Mrs. Benson, born February 7, 1935, was last seen on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and had not returned home. The family, describing the situation as time-sensitive, earnestly appealed to the public for any information to assist in locating her. The notice urged anyone with details, no matter how small, to contact 08037039214 or report to the nearest police station, emphasizing the urgency for immediate sharing.

Opral Benson is a distinguished American-Liberian and Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite, widely recognized for her significant contributions to Lagos society. She holds the esteemed traditional chieftaincy title of Iya Oge of Lagos. Her extensive career spans education, fashion, and corporate administration. She was married to the notable politician and lawyer, Chief T.O.S. Benson (former Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Culture), from 1962 until his death in 2008. Benson is also a former university administrator, currently manages a fashion and beauty school in Lagos, and previously served as a director at Johnson’s Products, the Nigerian affiliate of a multinational brand. In 2012, she was appointed honorary consul of Liberia in Lagos.

However, subsequent reports swiftly emerged to dismiss the earlier claims of her being missing. A source close to the family clarified on Tuesday that Mrs. Benson is, in fact, currently outside Nigeria, visiting family in Liberia. The source indicated that her daughter, Precious, and an assistant are accompanying her. This discrepancy was attributed to a possible communication gap within the family, leading to the erroneous issuance of the missing person notice.

Further confirmation came from the African Refugees Foundation (AREF), where Opral Benson serves as president. In a statement signed by its chief executive officer, Olujimi Olusola III, AREF affirmed that Mrs. Benson's trip to Liberia was voluntary and well-known. AREF strongly urged the public and media organizations to disregard the initial false and misleading reports, advocating against the spread of unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm. The foundation reiterated its commitment to promoting truth and ensuring accurate information is disseminated to protect the dignity of individuals.