The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, has once again been thrown into mourning — but this time, the story sounds almost too surreal to be true.
Just hours after wrapping up a production in Owerri, Imo State, what should’ve been a night of celebration turned into a horrifying ordeal. Actor Evans and Director of Photography, Nnunu, both young and talented creatives, lost their lives under circumstances that have left colleagues, fans, and families reeling with questions.
The crew had just completed a shoot — the kind that brings a sense of relief, laughter, and camaraderie. As is customary, the producer reportedly offered drinks to mark the occasion. It was supposed to be a toast to hard work. But instead, it became a death sentence for two, and a medical emergency for two others who are now battling for their lives in a hospital.
Eyewitnesses say it all happened fast. Shortly after consuming the alcohol, Evans and Nnunu began to experience violent symptoms — vomiting, stomach pain, severe discomfort. By the time they were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, it was too late. They were both pronounced dead.
Now, the Nigerian police have launched a full investigation. Autopsies will be conducted, and already, suspicion is falling on the alcohol that was served. Was it contaminated? Was it fake? The shadow of adulterated drinks — a rising issue in the country — looms heavily over this tragedy.
NAFDAC has long warned Nigerians about the dangers of fake alcoholic beverages. In recent months, illegal factories producing substandard drinks have been uncovered, exposing a thriving black market that values profit over human lives.
But this wasn’t some nightclub or roadside bar. This was a private celebration among colleagues in the film industry. If this could happen to them, who’s truly safe?
The entire Nollywood community is shaken. Tributes are pouring in. Colleagues are stunned. Fans are heartbroken. Two lives — vibrant, creative, full of promise — are gone. And many are asking: who is responsible?
This isn’t just about a night gone wrong. It’s about the larger issue of safety, regulation, and trust. It’s about how something so simple, so routine — a celebratory drink — could become fatal.
As we await the autopsy results and further updates from the authorities, one thing is clear: Nollywood has lost more than filmmakers — it has lost sons, brothers, friends, and a piece of its soul.
Let this be a wake-up call. Let their deaths not be in vain.
️ Rest in power, Evans and Nnunu.
The final scene may have rolled, but your story lives on.