Abuja Crooks, Thieves And Liars Network

Top Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh kidnapped
By AZUH AMATUS
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nkem Owoh Photo: Sun News Publishing

Heavily armed kidnappers plied their evil trade in Enugu State over the weekend, abducting popular actor and comic star, Nkem Owoh, famously known as Osuofia in Nollywood movies. According to an insider, who spoke with Daily Sun, Owoh, unarguably one of the most popular names in the nation’s movie industry, was abducted last Saturday afternoon along the busy Enugu/Port Harcourt Road.

Speaking further, the source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the abductors are demanding for N15 million ransom.
Confirming the sad news, which many in Nollywood are still oblivious of, Mr. Segun Arinze, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), said he received the news with a rude shock. “I’m perplexed,” he said.

He, however, promised to issue an official statement after due consultations with his executives and members of Owoh’s family.
Also in an emotion-laden voice, Mr. Ofiafuluagu Mbaka, the Enugu State Chapter chairman of AGN, regretted the kidnappers action, describing it as devilish and wicked. “We are on our toes here in Enugu trying our best to see how Nkem Owoh will be out of the kidnappers den unhurt. We are also in touch with his immediate family. This is a trying moment for all actors. However, we are very positive and hopeful.”

Mr. Chuma Onwudiwe, the National Secretary of AGN, while reacting to Owoh’s abduction, called on the relevant authorities to join them in securing the immediate release of the actor from his abductors.
He also assured that the national secretariat is already working with the Enugu State chapter to ensure that Owoh regains his freedom soon.
It would be recalled that another popular actor in Nollywood, Pete Edochie, was kidnapped and later released by his abductors, a couple of months ago.
Nkem Owoh, from Enugu State, gained prominence in acting with his superb role in Kingsley Ogoro’s blockbuster – Osuofia in London, a comic movie that has grossed over a million copies. He has acted in over 1000 Nollywood movies, in a successful career spanning over two decades.