Why we declared her missing – Family
By Isoken Oduware
The African Refugees Foundation (AREF) wishes to formally address the recent reports circulating on social and online media regarding Chief Mrs.Opral Benson, Hon. President AREF popularly known as the Iya Oge of Lagos.
Contrary to the claims suggesting that Mrs. Opral Benson has been declared missing by her family, the Foundation has verified that Mrs Opral Benson AREF Honorary President is safe, in good health, and not missing.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of AREF, Mr. Olujimi Olusola III, Chief Opral Benson is hale and hearty, and there is absolutely no cause for concern.
AREF confirms that Mrs. Benson is currently in Liberia, her presence there is voluntary and known.
We urge members of the public, media organizations, and community stakeholders to disregard the false and misleading reports and refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary alarm.
The Foundation remains committed to promoting truth, protecting the dignity of individuals under its care, and ensuring that accurate information is made available to the public.
Earlier, the family of Benson, Lagos socialite and the Iya Oge of Lagos, had declared her missing. A release titled Urgent Community Alert said the whereabouts of Opral Benson, the matriarch of the TOS Benson family, Ikorodu, Lagos, have been unknown since Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
“The family reports that Mama Opral Benson has been missing since Tuesday, January 13, 2026. She has NOT RETURNED HOME and her current whereabouts are UNKNOWN.
Anyone who has SEEN HER, or has ANY INFORMATION, no matter how small, is urged to CONTACT IMMEDIATELY: THIS IS TIME SENSITIVE. PLEASE SHARE IMMEDIATELY”
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