A Nollywood film set descended into chaos on Saturday when actor Godwin Nnadiekwe suffered severe injuries requiring immediate hospitalization following what he describes as an unscripted attack by fellow actor Zubby Michael.
According to Nnadiekwe, the incident occurred when Michael allegedly delivered a violent kick to his chest during filming, resulting in internal bleeding. The actor emphasized that the aggressive action was "neither scripted nor approved" by the production management.
"During a scene, I received a kick to the chest from my colleague that wasn't part of the script or directed by the director," Nnadiekwe stated. "It caused me serious pains. Had to get medication for my chest to feel better today. I did all these by myself. No assistance!"
A disturbing video of the incident has emerged showing Michael exiting a vehicle, jumping over a barricade, and delivering what appears to be a forceful kick to Nnadiekwe's chest before fleeing into a nearby building.
Nnadiekwe's management team later confirmed that his condition had deteriorated, necessitating emergency hospital care. "We regret to inform you that Actor Godwin Nnadiekwe was rushed to the hospital this evening," read their statement. "He is undergoing treatment for internal bleeding caused by a chest injury sustained during a film shoot with Zubby Michael."
The injured actor has raised serious concerns about on-set safety protocols in the Nigerian film industry, questioning what might have happened if the outcome had been worse. He emphasized that physical scenes should always be meticulously planned and supervised by directors to prevent such incidents.
"Without proper insurance and immediate medical care on set, unforeseen physical scenes can have devastating effects," Nnadiekwe warned.
Particularly troubling is Nnadiekwe's claim that he was forced to cover his own medical expenses as the production team allegedly offered no assistance following the incident.
As of publication time, Zubby Michael has not publicly responded to the allegations. The incident has sparked discussions about actor safety and professional conduct within Nigeria's booming film industry.
