Nollywood actor Godwin Nnadiekwe has been hospitalised with internal bleeding after a disturbing incident during a movie shoot involving his colleague, Zubby Michael. The incident, which was captured in a behind-the-scenes video now circulating on social media, shows Michael storming out of a vehicle, leaping over a barricade, and delivering a powerful kick to Nnadiekwe’s chest — an act Nnadiekwe insists was not scripted or authorized by the director.
The actor first disclosed the situation in an Instagram post on Saturday, explaining that the kick left him in intense pain and forced him to seek medical attention on his own. He added that no support or medical assistance was provided by the production team.
“During a scene, I received a kick to the chest from my colleague that wasn’t part of the script or directed by the director,” he wrote. “It caused me serious pains. Had to get medication for my chest to feel better today. I did all these by myself. No assistance!”
Although Nnadiekwe initially refrained from publicly naming the colleague involved, his management later released a formal statement confirming that Zubby Michael was the actor in question. The statement also revealed that Nnadiekwe’s condition had worsened and he had been rushed to the hospital for treatment for internal bleeding.
The statement reads in part: “We regret to inform you that Actor Godwin Nnadiekwe was rushed to the hospital this evening. He is undergoing treatment for internal bleeding following an incident involving a kick on the chest during filming with his colleague, Zubby Michael.”
The management assured the public that Nnadiekwe is receiving appropriate medical care and that updates will be shared with both fans and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) as his condition progresses. “We appreciate your concern and well wishes for Godwin at this time. Keep him in your thoughts,” the statement concluded.
In his Instagram post, Nnadiekwe took the opportunity to raise broader concerns about the lack of safety protocols in Nollywood. He stressed the importance of ensuring that every physical action on set is deliberate, rehearsed, and supervised.
“When we’re working without insurance policies or readily available first aid, unexpected physical actions like this, even if accidental, can have real consequences… What if something more serious had happened?” he questioned.
He further appealed to filmmakers, directors, and actors to take on-set safety more seriously, especially in an industry where medical support and insurance are often unavailable. “Please let us all look out for each other and ensure our sets are always safe spaces where everyone feels secure and protected. Our well-being should always come first.”
