Slain Nollywood Actress Accused Notorious Herdsman Alhaji Dangogo of Rape, Ritual Threats Before Death
Fresh controversies have continued to trail the death of a popular Nollywood actress, who was allegedly murdered under mysterious circumstances days after accusing a notorious Fulani herdsman, Alhaji Ibrahim Dangogo, of rape and threats linked to ritual practices and child trafficking.
The late actress, whose identity is being withheld by authorities pending official confirmation to her next of kin, was widely known for her roles in action and drama films that often spotlighted social injustices and gender-based violence.
Before her demise, she had taken to social media to publicly name Alhaji Dangogo, a figure already linked to a web of criminal activities ranging from illegal arms deals to ritual killings and transnational child trafficking.
In her now-deleted Instagram live video, reposted by several blogs before it was taken down, the visibly shaken actress detailed her alleged ordeal in the hands of Alhaji Dangogo.
She claimed he raped her at a private lodge in the outskirts of Nasarawa State after she was lured under the guise of a film production meeting.
According to her statement, Ibrahim Dangogo allegedly threatened her with death and hinted at his involvement in occult practices.
“He told me that if I ever speak, I will join the others. He laughed when I cried and told me I didn’t know the people I was dealing with. He said I will disappear like the rest,” she said during the live session.
Multiple sources close to the late actress revealed that she had confided in colleagues about her fears, insisting she felt hunted after confronting Dangogo.
She reportedly lodged formal complaints with both the police and a local human rights group in Abuja, but no immediate action was taken, according to people familiar with the case.
Her sudden death, which was first reported by her personal assistant on Monday, has thrown the entertainment industry into mourning, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to her demise.
The actress was found dead in a hotel room in Karu, a suburb in Nasarawa State, under conditions described by the police as “suspicious but not yet conclusive.”
A senior police officer at the Nasarawa State Criminal Investigation Department, who spoke under anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, confirmed that the actress had previously submitted a petition implicating Alhaji Dangogo in what was described as “a serious case of sexual violence, cult-related threats, and attempted human trafficking.”
The officer noted that the police had been “tracking” Dangogo for several months in connection with multiple ongoing investigations.
“He’s not a new name to us. He has been on the watchlist of multiple agencies for suspected involvement in cross-border arms smuggling, ritual killings, and child trafficking. Her case added another layer to his file, but we had yet to establish contact with him when the news of her death reached us,” the officer said.
Several Nollywood stars, activists, and rights organisations have taken to the streets and social media to demand justice.
Efforts to reach Alhaji Dangogo for comments have proven abortive as his known phone numbers remain unreachable and his last known residence in Keffi was found deserted when security agents stormed the premises on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, a candlelight procession is being planned by colleagues of the late actress in Lagos and Abuja as tributes continue to pour in for a star many described as “vocal, fearless, and tragically silenced too soon.”
