They misjudged actors’ financial status – Hilda Dokubo on $100k demand by kidnappers of Nollywood actors
Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo says the people who kidnapped two of her colleagues, Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel, in Enugu State, Nigeria, misjudged the financial status of the actors.
According to her, because some celebrities have been flaunting wealth on social media the kidnappers and the public assume they are swimming in wealth.
However, “it is only in line with the “Show” part of SHOWbiz. Hopefully, you’ll understand what I mean,” Hilda Dokubo wrote in an Instagram post.
She noted that she is pained about the kidnapping, especially because she does not only know Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel who were kidnapped but is also aware of their financial status.
“Unfortunately they misjudged the financial status of the actors they kidnapped! And think that as it is in the movies that is how it is in real life. (sic) What a life! Where will we get one hundred thousand US dollars from?”
“God save all of us from this pain and give us your grace for this period. I am pained because I know these two personally, have worked with them and I know the truth of how it is with them,” Hilda Dokubo wrote.
This comes after two prominent Nollywood actors and members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel, aka Agbogidi, were reportedly kidnapped on Friday.
Monalisa Chinda, AGN’s Director of Communications, who broke the news stated that the actors were reported missing after their family members confirmed that they didn’t come back from a film location at Ozalla Town, Enugu state.
“The two members were suspected of having been kidnapped, which has increased fear amongst members about the safety of actors filming in the country.”
Twenty-four hours after the kidnapping, the perpetrators were reported to have made contact with the family of the actors.
On Saturday, the AGN National President, Emeka Rollas, told Premium Times that the kidnappers are requesting a lump sum in dollars.
He said, “the kidnappers have made contact with the families and are demanding the sum of $100,000. We pray to God for his intervention and for Him to put confusion in their midst.”
“We are also working closely with the different security operatives, but we are not sure what to expect from them because the same thing is happening everywhere in the country.”
Mr. Rollas also said members of the Guild are working closely with the families of the victims and the security forces to ensure their safe release.
In a Punch newspaper interview published Saturday, Mr Rollas said, ‘‘the kidnappers cleared the monies in Cynthia Okereke’s account this morning’’.
Meanwhile, the Police have launched an investigation into the kidnapping of the actors.
History
Nollywood acts have been victims of kidnapping in Nigeria in the past.
In June 2021, a Nollywood actor, Pressing Forward, was kidnapped in Imo State. He was later released from captivity, after which his fans rallied around him in jubilation.
In 2009 veteran actor, Pete Edochie, was kidnapped and released after paying a ransom. Nkem Owoh was abducted and released after paying a ₦1.4 million ransom.
The actor, popularly known as ‘Osuofia’, was kidnapped as he travelled along Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway.
In June, actor Uche Odoputa appealed for assistance following his father, Kenneth Odoputa’s kidnapping.
He revealed in an Instagram post that his father had been held captive for weeks.
