By Claire Akubo

The Osoba family of Abeokuta, Ogun State, has broken its silence on the circumstances surrounding the death of Tope Osoba, giving an account of the health and personal difficulties that preceded her death on August 4, 2026.

In a statement by Damilola Osoba, the family, described Tope as a responsible, cerebral and resourceful member of the family who had endured prolonged emotional and health challenges, including the death of her biological mother and a previous battle with cancer.

The family said that since May 2025, Tope had remained in regular contact with her paternal aunt, Revd Mother Kehinde Osoba Eritosin, whom she regarded as an adopted mother, frequently confiding in her over personal, health and marital difficulties.

According to the statement, Tope made a frantic call to Revd Mother Osoba on July 31, seeking help over worsening health and marital problems involving her fiancé, with whom she had reportedly lived for about two years.

The family said that on August 2, while receiving medical treatment, Tope again contacted her aunt and asked her to speak with her fiancé. Revd Mother Osoba subsequently contacted the fiancé and requested an urgent meeting, but the meeting could not take place before Tope’s death.

The family said that on the day she died, one of Tope’s friends and hairdressers alerted Revd Mother Osoba that she had reportedly been awake throughout the previous night and was behaving unusually. The friend also expressed concern over statements Tope allegedly made about death.

Revd Mother Osoba was said to have directed that Tope be brought to her church in Ikorodu for medical and spiritual attention.

However, while attending a Church of the Lord (C&S) Unification programme in Abule Egba, Lagos, Revd Mother Osoba reportedly received a call from the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Igbogbo Police Station, informing her that Tope had been brought to the station following an incident in Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu.

The family said Tope had allegedly behaved unusually in traffic, including stepping out of a vehicle and screaming.

Revd Mother Osoba reportedly confirmed Tope as a member of her family and asked that she be taken to her church pending her arrival. But the family said Tope was instead released to a friend and two maternal relatives who had travelled from Sagamu.
Rather than waiting at the church, the relatives reportedly took Tope to another spiritual centre in Ikorodu, where prayers were offered before they commenced the journey to Sagamu.

According to the family, Tope developed further health complications on the way and was taken to a private hospital in Sagamu. She was reportedly referred to the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, OSUTH, for further treatment.

The family said Tope died inside the vehicle before she could receive attention at OSUTH.
Revd Mother Osoba was reportedly informed of the death the following day after eventually reaching one of Tope’s friends.

The family appealed to friends, sympathisers and members of the public to allow it mourn the loss, while cautioning against sensational reports and speculation on social media.

It thanked Tope’s friends, colleagues, associates and fans for their condolences, adding that a memorial service would be held after consultations, with the date to be announced later.