54-year-old popular Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Ibrahim Chatta, on Saturday, through a post on his official Instagram page, announced the death of his son, years after losing his daughter.
Although he shared no details about the cause of the death of his son, the post was accompanied by a solemn tribute and a photograph of the late boy.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things. Rest on, Dear son, champ,” Chatta wrote in a message that left many of his fans and colleagues in shock.
The announcement immediately triggered an outpouring of grief and sympathy, as colleagues and fans flooded his social media page with condolence messages.
Many expressed disbelief and prayed for the actor to find the strength to bear the loss. This latest tragedy comes only days after the Nollywood community was hit with another painful loss.
Veteran actress Peju Ogunmola recently lost her only son, Ayomikun, in Ibadan. He was in his early thirties. The two incidents, occurring so close together, have deepened the sense of sorrow within the entertainment industry.
Industry stakeholders have described the developments as a heavy blow, noting that Nollywood has endured a string of tragedies in recent years.
Actor Francis Duru also mourned the death of his son, Ifeanyi, last year, describing him as “a lion who fought fiercely for his life.”
For Chatta, however, this is not the first time he has experienced the pain of losing a child. In June this year, the actor revealed that he had lost his first child, a daughter, many years ago. In a deeply emotional account, he recalled how poverty and lack of access to proper medical care contributed to her death.
Chatta further disclosed that he was unable to afford a coffin at the time and was forced to bury his daughter in an old wooden Coca-Cola crate. That revelation stirred widespread sympathy across the country and highlighted the difficult realities faced by entertainers away from the spotlight.
Now, with the passing of his son, Chatta is once again confronted with unimaginable grief. Fans and colleagues alike say the multiple tragedies underscore the silent struggles actors endure behind the glamour and fame of Nollywood.
The repeated bereavements have sparked conversations about the emotional and financial burdens often carried by those in the entertainment sector, who, despite their fame, are not shielded from life’s harsh realities.
