By George Omagbemi
Veteran Nollywood actor, director and filmmaker Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, according to an announcement attributed to his family.
The family announced his passing in a statement shared on the actor’s verified Instagram account on Friday, October 23, expressing gratitude to supporters for their prayers, love and understanding during the difficult period.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the family’s message stated.
Duru was widely recognised for his contributions to Nigeria’s film industry, particularly his memorable role in the classic movie Rattlesnake, which helped establish his place among the country’s respected screen performers.
His career spanned acting, directing and filmmaking, earning him recognition among colleagues and audiences who followed the development of Nollywood over the years.
Reports from Nigerian media organisations also attributed confirmation of his death to Abubakar Yakubu, president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), although a separate formal guild statement was not independently verified.
The family has not publicly disclosed the specific illness that led to his death. Further details, including funeral arrangements, were not available at the time of publication.
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