Francis Duru, a familiar face of Nollywood for years, has died after a brief illness. His family announced the news in a statement on his Instagram page.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness. We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read. It did not name the illness or give any other medical details.

The first public tribute had come from Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. On Thursday, October 22, he posted Duru’s photograph on Instagram with a one-line note: “Another great thespian gone…Rest in peace Francis Duru!!”

The news comes four months after a video of Duru went viral in June 2026 and set off claims that he was suffering from a terminal illness. He reportedly dismissed the talk at the time, and how he was actually doing then remained unclear.

This was not the first time his name had been caught up in rumour. Duru had faced false death reports in earlier years too, and that history kept some doubt alive around the first posts on Thursday, until the family spoke.

Duru worked in Nigeria’s film industry for a long time and appeared in many Nollywood productions. Viewers who followed the industry through its growing years knew him well.

The family has asked for prayers, love and understanding as it grieves.

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