My Friends Were Scared To Call Me – Francis Duru Speaks On Battling Illness

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has dismissed reports circulating on social media that he is suffering from a serious health condition.

Naija News reports that the rumours spread after a video showing the actor looking weak and unwell surfaced online, causing concern among fans, colleagues, and well-wishers.

The footage quickly gained attention across various social media platforms, leading many to question the actor’s health status.

In a video posted on his Instagram page on Friday, the 56-year-old actor described the claims as false and misleading.

He stated that he has never experienced the kind of illness portrayed in the viral clip and maintained that he is in good health.

Duru said the video was deliberately created to spread false information about him.

According to him, some individuals use negative and misleading content to attract attention and increase online traffic without considering the impact such actions have on the people involved.

He said: “I am making this video with regard to very wicked videos circulating around about me being sick to the level that you could see in that video. Well, I have never been that sick and will never be that sick. And by God’s grace, we keep being stronger and stronger.

“That video is a handiwork of merchants of darkness, of wickedness, people who sit and concoct negativity for people. You just don’t want to see people rise.

“You just don’t believe in people’s success all in the course of driving traffic. And if this is what social media is all about or AI. Then we are in big trouble indeed.

“But this is just to let you guys know that this is me talking to you. Anything beyond this is their business. But I believe God will reach out to the guys who are doing this very soon.

“Suffer not the witch to live. Please, my friends who have been embarrassed, scared, even to call me and those who just call for calling sake, but just to know whether it is true.

“Well, this is me. I said, let me just put this little video to let you know that anything beyond this is something from somewhere.”

Duru, who married Adokiye in 2003, suffered a personal tragedy in August 2024 when he lost his son, Ifeanyi.