The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Emeka Rollas, has said the association cannot afford the ransom kidnappers of its two members are demanding.
Two members of the AGN – Clemson Cornell and Cynthia Okereke – were kidnapped in Enugu last week and their kidnappers are demanding a ransom of $100,000.
“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,” Rollas said in an interview on Sunday. “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 families. 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.”
Rollas also said that although a demand for ransom had been made, no ultimatum had been given on when the money should be paid.
