Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 after a brief illness.

The family said in a statement posted on his official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday that he died following a brief illness.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the post reads.

“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

The family did not disclose the nature of the illness or give details of funeral arrangements.

Francis Duru death follows June health rumours

In June, footage showing Duru in a frail condition circulated widely on social media, raising concern among fans and colleagues. He denied reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness and described the footage as “fabricated and malicious” in an Instagram video.

The family has not said what illness he suffered, and no public information links the June reports to his death.

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu, also announced the death on Instagram, sharing a photograph of Duru with the message: “Another great thespian gone….Rest in peace Francis Duru!!”

Francis Duru’s career and background

Duru was born on 27 July 1969 in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State. He completed his primary and secondary education in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for university. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and earned a B.A. in 1996.

He entered the Nigerian film industry in 1989 with the film Missing Mark, directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. Accounts of his career say the appearance did little to advance it at the time.

He became widely known for playing Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the 1995 film produced by the late Amaka Igwe. He was also interim president of the AGN in 2010 and remained active in Nollywood for more than three decades.

Duru is survived by his wife, Adokiye, and their children.

No funeral arrangements have been announced.