‘The Devil Wants This Pattern of Mass Death Repeated’: AGN Demands Overhaul of Nollywood Safety After Owerri Tragedy
OWERRI, Nigeria — The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has issued a stark warning about a recurring cycle of on-set fatalities, linking the deaths of two actors in Owerri to systemic safety failures and spiritual warfare. The incident, which occurred on April 19, 2025, during a post-production house party, has reignited urgent calls for industry-wide regulation and spiritual intervention in Nigeria’s $7.2 billion film industry.
The Tragedy: What Happened
Two actors—identified as Evans (a rising talent) and Nnunu (a cinematographer)—died after consuming a drink provided by a producer during a celebration following a film shoot. Two others were hospitalized in critical condition. Initial police reports suggest possible poisoning, but autopsies are pending. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as victims vomited and collapsed, with the producer offering conflicting accounts of the events.
The incident mirrors the 2024 drowning of actor Junior Pope and three crew members, which exposed Nollywood’s lax safety culture. AGN President Emeka Rollas called it a “devilish pattern,” stating:
“If not for God, the death toll in Owerri could have been four—exactly the same number as last year. We must break this cycle before it becomes a ritual.”
AGN’s Response: Prayer and Policy
- National Prayer Summit: The AGN announced a collaboration with Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International to host a “spiritual reset” for Nollywood on April 28, aiming to “reclaim creative spaces from negative forces”.
- Licensing Framework: Rollas demanded mandatory licensing for filmmakers, arguing that unregulated “bedroom producers” endanger lives by bypassing safety protocols.
- Membership Enforcement: The guild emphasized that only registered members are covered by its insurance and safety oversight, urging actors to avoid non-AGN productions.
Systemic Failures and New Insights
- No Safety Officers: Unlike Hollywood’s OSHA-mandated safety officers, Nollywood sets often lack even basic first-aid kits. Filmmaker James Amuta notes that maritime shoots frequently proceed without life jackets or lifeguards3.
- Unregulated Productions: Lagos is Nigeria’s only state requiring film permits, enabling amateur crews to operate unchecked in other regions.
- Spiritual Narratives: The AGN’s focus on prayer reflects a cultural tendency to attribute tragedies to supernatural forces, potentially diverting attention from tangible reforms.
Comparative Analysis: Global Lessons
The 2021 Rust shooting in the U.S. and Junior Pope’s death share common threads:
| Incident | Cause | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Rust (2021) | Live round in prop gun | Criminal charges against armorer |
| Junior Pope (2024) | No life jackets, unlicensed boat | AGN riverine filming ban |
| Owerri (2025) | Suspected poisoning | Licensing push, spiritual summit |
While Hollywood enforces strict liability for negligence, Nollywood lacks legal frameworks to hold producers accountable.
Path Forward: Proposed Reforms
- Federal Licensing: Mandate permits for all productions, with safety audits by the National Film and Video Censors Board35.
- Safety Code: Adopt a Nollywood-specific safety manual, requiring medics, hazard assessments, and equipment checks3.
- Guild Empowerment: Equip the AGN with legal authority to penalize non-compliant productions and expand insurance coverage.
