Popular Nollywood special effects artist, James Akaie, is dead.
9news Nigeria reports that movie director cum producer, James Abinibi, announced the tragic incident in a statement shared on the RockBottom Flix Instagram page on Friday.
Abinibi said Akaie died following injuries sustained in an explosion that occurred at a movie location in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to him, while Akaie died at the hospital, two assistants involved in the explosion sustained burn injuries.
He said, “During a filming session, a sudden and unexpected explosion occurred in a designated effects preparation area outside the film set, where James was experimenting with an unauthorised pyrotechnic stimulation involving a gas cylinder alongside his two assistants.
“James succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. His two assistants sustained fire burn injuries and were taken to a specialist hospital, where they received immediate medical attention and were later confirmed stable as they continue to receive treatment.”
In other news, Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, has sparked widespread concern among fans and colleagues after posting a series of emotional messages on social media in which she disclosed that she is battling intense personal challenges and accused a popular cleric, Chris Okafor, of being responsible for her pain.
In a video shared online, the visibly distressed actress broke down in tears as she narrated what she described as a succession of traumatic experiences that have taken a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.
Ogala said she was not okay, recounting alleged miscarriages, her arrest and detention following public accusations she made against the cleric, as well as painful marital experiences.
She also claimed that at one point, she returned home to find her husband’s mistress and child. According to her, the cumulative effect of these incidents has been overwhelming.
