There was brief confusion in Nigeria’s media space mid-week following reports that prominent Lagos socialite and Yeye-Oge of Lagos, Chief Mrs. Opral Benson, had gone missing.
Mrs. Benson, who will turn 91 in February, is a celebrated fashion icon whose elegance and eye for detail earned her national recognition and the chieftaincy title of Yeye-Oge of Lagos from the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II. Though Liberian by birth, she became a Nigerian after marrying the late T.O.S. Benson, a former minister in Nigeria’s First Republic.
The initial report sparked widespread concern. Many questioned how a woman of her age could leave her home unattended, raising fears of an accident, abduction, or health crisis. The story gained traction after appearing on social media and was attributed to a credible online news platform, adding to public anxiety.
Hours later, fresh information emerged suggesting that Mrs. Benson had been located in Liberia. Reports claimed she was speaking as though she were still in Nigeria, fueling speculation about possible dementia. This raised further questions about how she could have travelled internationally without assistance.
A statement later issued by Bimbo Cardoso, identified as Mrs. Benson’s stepdaughter, confirmed that she was in Liberia. According to the statement, Mrs. Benson was physically well but appeared unaware of her location, believing she was still in Ikoyi, Lagos. The statement also criticised those responsible for transporting her out of Nigeria without the family’s knowledge, describing the act as troubling and irresponsible.
The narrative, however, shifted again after a counter-statement from Mrs. Benson’s biological daughter, Spencilene Precious Benson. In a strongly worded response titled “Opral Benson in Liberia, Attending to Critical Personal, Domestic Matters,” she dismissed the missing-person claims as false and malicious.
She stated that her mother was not missing and that they were together in Monrovia, Liberia, where Mrs. Benson was visiting relatives and attending to personal and domestic matters. She added that her mother was in good health and would soon return to Nigeria, while warning those spreading false information to desist or face legal action.
A source close to the family, who spoke anonymously, further clarified that Mrs. Benson was never missing and had travelled to Liberia willingly with her biological daughter. According to the source, there was no case of dementia and no foul play involved.
The source alleged that the controversy stemmed from internal family disagreements, accusing a stepdaughter of raising unnecessary alarm out of resentment. It was also disclosed that Mrs. Benson and her daughter had twice been prevented from travelling to Liberia last year due to false security alerts alleging attempted kidnapping.
“She simply wanted to visit her homeland and reconnect with her people,” the source said, adding that Mrs. Benson was in high spirits and actively spending time with relatives and friends in Liberia.
Contrary to claims that all her siblings were deceased, the source noted that extended family members, including nieces, nephews, and cousins, still reside there.
According to the family, Mrs. Benson is expected to return to Nigeria shortly, putting to rest the speculation and reaffirming that the trip was a personal decision rooted in family ties rather than any crisis.
The episode highlights how quickly misinformation can spread — and how family matters, when dragged into the public space, can easily be misunderstood.
