The family of late Nollywood actress Tope Osoba has refuted widespread claims that she died as a result of cancer.
Reports of the actress’ death emerged on Tuesday evening, with some online platforms claiming she passed away shortly after speaking with colleagues on the phone and updating her WhatsApp status with the words “Ogo Tuntun” (New Glory) at about 7:23 p.m.
The speculation gained traction because Osoba had publicly appealed for financial support nearly two years ago to undergo breast cancer surgery and treatment, leading many to conclude that the illness caused her death.
However, in a statement posted on the actress’ official Instagram page on Thursday, her family rejected those claims, insisting that cancer was not responsible for her death.
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Although the family did not reveal the actual cause of her passing, the statement read:
“We are deeply saddened by the spread of false and unverified reports concerning the passing of our beloved.
“At this difficult time, we wish to categorically state that the numerous claims circulating on social media and various blogs regarding the circumstances surrounding her death are false, speculative, and entirely unauthorized.”
The family also appealed to the public to avoid circulating unverified information, stressing that doing so only deepens their grief.
They added that any further updates regarding the actress’ death would be shared through her official social media page.
