Veteran Nollywood Actor, Pete Edochie has cried out, alleging threats to his life after his role in a movie that allegedly depicted the Islamic Movement In Nigeria, otherwise known as Shiites as a terrorist organization.
The movie titltled “Fatal Arrogance” reportedly sponsored by the Nigerian Army and produced by Kingsley Orji Anosike has attracted nationwide condemnation even before the production is rounded off and released to the market.
Notable among the protesters are the members of Shiite religious sect whose leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky has been detained since September 2015, after a bloody clash with the Nigerian Army after which over 300 members of the religious group were killed during their An’sura procession at Zaria, Kaduna state.
In a 12-minute video shared by the veteran actor following the backlash that has the movie shot in Enugu state, Edochie explained that he was unaware of the theme and script of his role before accepting to feature in the movie.
He said, “I don’t understand what the IMN is driving at. The film we shot is not even out, it has not been edited, the production is not complete.
“If they have complained to the Inspector-General of Police, and the IGP says give me a copy of the film, what are we going to do because the film is not in existence yet, it is not in circulation.
“I am supposed to have played a role that ridiculed their boss, chief, whoever is in charge of their group.
“I am suggesting that you wait, keep your gunpowder dry, when the film is released, you can now make your grumbles known to the Inspector-General of Police.
“Whatever is being done now is premature, it is not proper.
“Fatal Arrogance, whatever it is, whatever it deals with, I think the best thing to do is to wait until the production comes out.”
The veteran actor went ahead to raise the alarm over the threat to his life for acting in the controversial movie.
He added, “I did not write it, the film was produced by Kingsley Orji Anosike. If you want to express resentment over the production, which you have not watched, direct your grievances to the producer of the film not to Pete Edochie who is a mere actor, it does not concern me.
“I thank all those people who out of concern informed me of the campaign of deliberation of my person, the organised threat of my person by IMN, I thank you all. I’m a free born of Nigeria, I was born and raised in Nigeria. I’m not going to run away from Nigeria because a few individuals think they want things done in their own way.”