The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has issued an urgent call for nationwide prayers following the tragic deaths of two upcoming actors on a movie set in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. The shocking incident reportedly occurred after the victims consumed a drink allegedly provided by the film’s producer.
According to filmmaker Stanley Ontop, a video circulating online showed four actors being rushed to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO). Sadly, two of them were confirmed dead on arrival, while the remaining two are said to be recovering.
The circumstances surrounding the poisoning remain unclear, and authorities have yet to release a formal investigation report. However, suspicions have centered around the drinks provided on set, prompting widespread concern across the Nollywood community.
AGN President Emeka Rollas responded to the tragedy via his Instagram page, calling for urgent intercessory prayers and spiritual intervention. He noted that while the deceased actors were not members of the guild, the alarming trend of deaths in Nollywood around this time of year is deeply unsettling.
“Barely a week after the memorial service of our member, the late Junior Pope, tragedy struck in Owerri involving two promising actors,” Rollas said.
“They are not members of the AGN but this points to two things. The devil still wants this pattern of mass death repeated on an annual basis.”
Rollas went on to urge all actors and stakeholders in Nollywood to join this year’s prayer session led by Pastor Jerry Eze, as a way of breaking the cycle of annual misfortunes in the industry.
The incident comes exactly one year after the devastating loss of beloved actor Junior Pope and three crew members, who died during the production of the movie “The Other Side of Life” in Asaba, Delta State. The AGN had controversially stated that legal action against the producer, Adanma Luke, was not possible due to Pope’s non-payment of union dues.
This latest tragedy raises fresh questions about set safety, professional standards, and accountability in the Nigerian film industry.
Rollas emphasized that the recent deaths should serve as a wake-up call to all creatives working in Nollywood. He described the Owerri case as a spiritual and systemic threat that needs both divine intervention and structural reforms.
“If not for God, the Owerri death toll could have been four persons. Exactly the same number last year in Asaba,” he added.
Preparations are now underway for a special prayer outing with Pastor Jerry Eze, aimed at invoking divine protection for Nollywood practitioners throughout the year.
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