Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at 57 following a brief illness, his family announced on Friday. His passing marks the end of a career spanning more than three decades, during which he became widely recognised for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake.

The family announced his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram page, thanking fans and well-wishers for their support and prayers. The statement did not disclose a specific cause of death, and funeral arrangements had not been announced at the time of publication.

Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), also paid tribute to the actor on social media, describing him as a great thespian.

Photo: Instagram/@francis.duru

Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education before relocating to Nigeria for university. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko. His breakthrough came six years later when he played Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the film produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. The performance established him as a recognisable face in Nigerian cinema and remains one of the defining roles of his career.

Over the years, he appeared in numerous Nigerian productions, building a filmography that extended beyond his breakthrough performance. His work in Mboputa earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role award in the Igbo-language category at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards.

His contributions to the industry also extended beyond acting. In 2007, he received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in recognition of his influence on young people. Three years later, he served as interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Photo: Instagram/@francis.duru

Duru’s death comes months after he publicly denied reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In June 2026, a video showing him looking frail circulated on social media, prompting concern among fans. He subsequently addressed the claims in a video posted on Instagram, describing the footage as fabricated and malicious.

Away from his career, Duru was married to Adokiye, whom he wed in 2003. They had four children together. In August 2024, the family lost their 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, a tragedy that drew condolences from fans and colleagues.

Duru leaves behind a career spanning more than three decades, from his early screen appearance in Missing Mark to the role of Ahanna that brought him widespread recognition. His performances, industry honours and service to the Actors Guild of Nigeria remain part of his contribution to Nigerian cinema.

Nigerian comedian and actor Broda Shaggi has revealed that he was hit by a stray bullet in March 2026, an incident that kept him away from work for several months and left him uncertain about his future in entertainment.

The skit maker, whose real name is Samuel Animashaun Perry, shared his experience in a YouTube documentary titled Second Chance (The Story), released on October 21. He recounted how the incident happened, the medical treatment he received and the difficulties he faced while recovering from the injury.

According to Shaggi, the shooting occurred on March 9, 2026, after he and his team had completed a brand activation assignment in the Sango-Ota bridge. They were travelling on an expressway when traffic slowed because of a crowd. He recalled hearing a loud bang before noticing blood around his hip.

Photo: Instagram/@ayoandstyles

Shaggi said he lost consciousness before arriving at the hospital. He received first aid at the initial facility before being transferred to another hospital for further treatment.

The comedian underwent surgery in Nigeria but continued to experience difficulties moving his injured leg. He said further treatment was delayed because his medical markers had not stabilised. After about four months, he decided to seek additional medical care in Dubai, where he underwent another operation.

Beyond the physical challenges, the injury affected his work and left him worried about his career. Known for his energetic skits, dancing and musical performances, Shaggi said he struggled with the possibility that he might not be able to return to the activities he enjoyed.

He also spoke about the emotional strain of spending months away from work. Watching videos of colleagues continuing their careers sometimes brought him to tears because he was unsure whether he would regain his previous abilities. During his recovery, however, he continued writing content and developing a series for his YouTube channel.

Shaggi’s condition has since improved. He disclosed that he can now stand independently and walk, although he still uses crutches for support. He acknowledged that his recovery is ongoing but expressed gratitude for surviving the incident.

The comedian also revealed plans to return to work with new projects that were delayed during his months of treatment. He described the experience as a second chance and encouraged fans to look forward to his upcoming content.

Watch Below:

Dr Akin Faminu just added another accomplishment to his résumé. The Lagos-based doctor and content creator has been inducted into The Business of Fashion 500 Class of 2026, an index of people who shape the global fashion industry.

He is one of 100 new members this year. The BoF 500 began in 2013 with 500 names and has since grown into a community of 1,713 people. New members are chosen over several months, based on nominations from existing members and the BoF team. Faminu joins the Sub-Saharan Africa group alongside Bobby Kolade, Joram Muzira and Michelle Francine Ngonmo.

Photo: Instagram/@akinfaminu

In the class announcement, BoF founder Imran Amed named Faminu as an example of how fashion is changing. He said the Nigerian doctor-turned-creator has made Yoruba ceremonial dress legible as high fashion.

The journey here started in 2014, when he launched a personal style platform called The Way Men Dress. He trained as a doctor at the University of Lagos, graduating from its College of Medicine in 2018, and continued attending fashion weeks in Lagos, London, Paris and Milan.

BoF describes his wardrobe, saying it leans on sharp tailoring, exaggerated proportions and statement accessories, with Nigerian designers like Orange Culture, Emmy Kasbit, Ugo Monye and Ashluxe sitting beside heritage references and global luxury labels. It also lists Daniel Wellington among his collaborators and names him a partner for Moët & Chandon and Nivea.

Photo: Instagram/@akinfaminu

The honours were already stacking up. In 2025, he was named Best Dressed Male at the AMVCA in a popular vote. On November 22 that year, he won the Man of Style award at the EMY Africa Awards in Accra, Ghana.

In Paris, the new class gathered at the BoF 500 Gala during Paris Fashion Week, with guests from more than 70 nationalities. Faminu wore a deep plum double-breasted suit by Nigerian label Deji & Kola. The jacket has velvet lapels with a leaf pattern embroidered in copper and orange tones, and the same detail runs down to the pocket flaps. The trousers were wide-legged, and he wore an unbuttoned velvet shirt. He added tinted sunglasses, a big ring, a watch and black dress shoes.

In his caption, he said he had typed and deleted it many times. He thanked God, his family and friends, and everyone who backed him, and called the honour a win for all of them.

Photo: Instagram/@akinfaminu

Earlier this year, at the Lagos premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, he wore a different kind of look by Mekallia. It was a wine-coloured vest covered in gold and cream shells, worn over a white shirt with full, gathered sleeves and burgundy wide-leg trousers with round sunglasses.