The mother of late singer Destiny Boy, Saida, has disclosed that her 22-year-old son suffered from a long-term illness known as “Ogu oru,” which caused recurring seizures.
In a viral video, Saida narrated how the family had been managing his condition privately, seeking help from traditional healers, clerics and medical professionals.
According to Saida, Destiny Boy’s health deteriorated after his child’s naming ceremony, and he was taken to the hospital multiple times.
Despite their efforts, he succumbed to the illness on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Saida dismissed rumors of money rituals, stating that her son was not involved in such activities and that those spreading the rumors were seeking attention.
She added that the family had kept his illness private due to his superstar status.
“Destiny went to rest. When he gave birth to his child, about four days after the naming, we went to Oba Edu Ifayomi, who initiated him traditionally. The man likes him as his son, so that’s why he told us to come collect ram for the baby’s naming ceremony. It was then that the sickness caught up with him, causing him to fall.
“It was there that we took him to the hospital. Oba Edu said we should ensure he’s properly treated and that he will take care of himself. And he kept sending us money even when he was transferred to about two other hospitals. When we saw the trend of the sickness, we told him that we should go traditional, and he said we should bring him to his place. I was the one he even gave the soap to bathe him.
“We returned, and he was fine. The sickness he battled with was “Ogu oru,” causing him to have seizures. The sickness had almost run him mad. We are the ones who always ensure that he doesn’t run out in the process of calming him.
“Those who use his name to trend may die mysteriously, as he did, if they are not careful. We actually hid this sickness from the public because he was a superstar. We went to different herbalists and clerics to heal him of the illness.
“On Saturday, he still bought stuff for people, greeted his fans and said he had a show on Sunday. When he had the seizure again, Oba Edu was not around. He went to Ife but returned after he was told about the singer’s condition. He wouldn’t have gone to Ife if Destiny Boy were in good condition. They invited his father too before he was taken to the hospital,” she said.
The singer’s condition, “Ogu oru,” is a local term for a condition that causes nocturnal seizures and disturbances, often attributed to spiritual attacks.
Destiny Boy rose to fame in 2019 with his Fuji-style cover of Davido’s hit song “If” and had recently welcomed a child with his partner.
His death has sparked widespread grief and speculation, with the Ogun police arresting a suspect and launching an investigation.
