Shock In Nollywood: Emeka Rollas Reacts As Two Actors Die On Movie Set

The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of two Nollywood actors who were not affiliated with the Guild. The tragic incident occurred in Owerri, Imo State.

According to Nollywood actor Stanley Ontop, who shared the news via Instagram on Friday, four actors were rushed to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, after collapsing, but two were confirmed dead upon arrival. He alleged that the affected individuals had eaten rice and drunk wine offered by the film’s director following a movie shoot.

Confirming the tragedy, the spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, revealed that an investigation has been launched. He added that the movie director and three other female individuals have been arrested and are currently assisting with inquiries.

Reacting to the development, Emeka Rollas stated in an Instagram post that the deceased actors were not registered members of the AGN. He once again urged all practitioners in the industry to formally join the Guild for safety, support, and accountability.

“This is heartbreaking. Just days after we held a memorial for our late member, Junior Pope, we’re faced with another devastating loss,” Rollas wrote. “Two young actors died in Owerri while filming—actors who were not registered with the AGN.”

He continued, “We have consistently warned that it’s unsafe to operate outside the Guild. Unfortunately, this seems to be part of a disturbing trend—last year, four people died in Asaba, and now we nearly lost four again. It’s like this tragic cycle is repeating annually.”

Rollas emphasized the need for spiritual and structural intervention, calling for collective prayers and better industry regulation.

“If not for divine intervention, the death toll could have been higher. This must stop. People now casually pick up cameras and claim to be filmmakers, often working in unsafe and unverified environments. We need order—content creators must be licensed.”

“We cannot go on like this,” he concluded.