Reports of the disappearance of Opral Benson, the esteemed Iya Oge of Lagos, initially sparked concern after her family reported 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 described the situation as urgent and appealed to the public for any information, urging anyone with details to contact 08037039214 or report to the nearest police station. The notice emphasized the importance of immediate action to assist in locating her.

Opral Benson’s Distinguished Profile

Opral Benson is a renowned American-Liberian and Nigerian entrepreneur and socialite, widely respected for her contributions to Lagos society. She holds the traditional chieftaincy title of Iya Oge of Lagos. Her career spans education, fashion, and corporate administration, including:

• Managing a fashion and beauty school in Lagos

• Serving as a director at Johnson’s Products Nigeria

• Acting as honorary consulof Liberia in Lagos since 2012

She was married to the late politician and lawyer Chief T.O.S. Benson from 1962 until his death in 2008.

Clarification: Opral Benson Is Safe in Liberia

Subsequent reports clarified that Mrs. Benson is not missing. A source close to the family confirmed that she is currently visiting family in Liberia, accompanied by her daughter Precious and an assistant. The initial missing-person notice was attributed to a communication gap within the family.

Further confirmation came from the African Refugees Foundation (AREF), where Mrs. Benson serves as president. In a statement, AREF urged the public and media to disregard the earlier false reports, emphasizing that her trip was voluntary and well-known. The foundation stressed the importance of sharing verified information to protect the dignity of individuals and avoid unnecessary public alarm.