“We can’t raise ransom for kidnapped actors” – AGN gives reason

The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas has dashed the hopes of many who relied on the guild for the demanded ransom for Nollywood veteran actors, Clemson Cornell and Cynthia Okereke’s release.

Noting that the AGN cannot set aside funds to pay the ransom of their kidnapped members, the Rollas submitted that the guild hasn’t even set aside funds for its ailing actors.

He maintained that insecurity in Nigeria is affecting everyone and not only the actors.

Recall that two members of the AGN, Clemson Cornell and Cynthia Okereke, were kidnapped in Enugu, and their kidnappers have demanded a ransom of $100,000.

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Emeka Rollas was quoted as saying: “The Actors Guild of Nigeria cannot set apart funds for rescuing kidnapped actors, because we have not even set aside funds to help ailing actors. The insecurity in the nation is affecting everybody, not only actors.”

When asked how the AGN is planning to raise money for the release of the kidnapped actors, he said, “We are liasing with the family. It is not the guild that is supposed to provide the money. Right now, we are still brainstorming on what to do, while the security operatives are also doing their jobs.

“We have already taken a proactive step to say that actors should not go to the outskirts of town to shoot films. Even the ones who are filming in cities should ensure that they have adequate security.”