Entertainment
Nkiru Sylvanus Kidnap: AGN Holds Rally For Her Release
Following the kidnap of actress Nkiru Sylvanus in Owerri on Saturday night, members of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, South-East Chapter, held rallies in Imo State and other neighbouring states on Tuesday.
The Imo State rally, coordinated by Barrister Ezenna Agu, AGN’s Vice President, South-East, was attended by actors and actresses in the eastern part of the country. During the rally, the artistes marched peacefully to the Imo State Government House and other strategic places to express their grievances over the kidnap of their colleague by unknown gunmen.
General Secretary of the Guild, Abubakar Yakub, told the press that the rallies were aimed at appealing to kidnappers to desist from abducting actors, Nkiru Sylvanus is not the first actor to be kidnapped. Peter Edochie, Nkem Owoh and John Okafor, better known as Mr. Ibu had been kidnapped at one time or the other.
“The purpose of the rallies is to first of all show our displeasure over the abduction of Nkiru, then to also let the perpetrators of this evil act know that even if they must kidnap, actors should’t be their target. It is unfortunate that while we are busy working, trying to entertain and put smiles on the faces of people, we still end up being the target of kidnappers. It is absurd. There must be a stop to this,” Abubakar stated.
Nkiru, who is also a Special Assistant on Public Relations to Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was kidnapped alongside two others between Concorde Hotel and Cathedral Road.
The incident occurred very late on Saturday night when the actress, who had a misunderstanding with some crew members on the movie location decided to take her leave in annoyance. “Yes, she had a minor misunderstanding with someone on the location, so she decided to leave. She had barely driven more than 100 metres from the location when the gunmen blocked her car and took her away”, a source in the AGN, who craved anonymity, told the press.
The kidnappers later demanded for N100 million ransom before Nkiru, popularly known for playing ‘weeping’ roles in movies, will be released.
National President AGN, Ibinabo Fiberesima, told our reporter there are some issues she would not want to disclose on phone, but assured that the Guild was making efforts to see to the release of Nkiru. “She is one of us, so there is definitely no way we would fold our arms when she is in trouble. We are making some moves and I know that she will be freed unhurt by the grace of God. Her safety is very important to us. Let’s keep praying for her”, Ibinabo stated.
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.
