Ace Nollywood actor and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) have reacted to the viral reports that one of the alleged kidnappers recently k!lled by the police in Lagos was a filmmaker.
Last week, the state police command announced that it k!lled 9 suspected kidnappers who “targeted high net-worth residents” in the state.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson of the command, disclosed that the suspects were k!lled during a gun duel.
By Monday, reports emerged that one of the suspected kidnappers was a movie producer.
The reports claimed the deceased had worked with popular actor Yul Edochie.
But speaking with TheCable Lifestyle on Tuesday, Emeka Rollas, the AGN president, said he cannot confirm the membership of the suspected kidnapper.
“Yes. I have seen that report and I have immediately told the AGN secretary to check whether he is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). And I am waiting for them to get back to me,” he said.
“If the guy was an executive producer, he should be able to have picture. Or he could take picture with somebody as his fan. So, I am still expecting response from the secretary.”
In the same vein, Kanayo O Kanayo, the ace actor, asked the public not to refer to the suspected kidnapper as a Nollywood movie producer.
“My name is Kanayo O Kanayo. I am a Nollywood actor and a lawyer. Why I made this introduction is because I am one of the protectors if the Nigerian entertainment industry in word and indeed,” he said in a video shared on Instagram.
“I just read this breaking news from CKN. Nollywood actor among nine alleged millionaire kidnappers killed by police in Lagos. And I begin to ask, who is a Nollywood actor? Is it somebody as producer or who calls himself a producer assembling some girls or boys, conducting an audition? Taking money from those that needs to be auditioned? Come onto the industry makes him a producer?
“An actor is now somebody who leaves his trade and finds Nollywood a fertile ground to false his activities?
“We must begin to identify who is an actor and a producer. While I commend the Nigeria police for making our Lagos safe, please bloggers, influencers, be mindful of those you refer as Nollywood producers and actors.
“It affects some of us. We need to investigate. It is beginning to be bad name for those who practice and depend on this.”