The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, has been struck by another tragic loss as reports emerge of the passing of veteran actress Cynthia Okereke.

According to Channels, her colleague, Joseph Okechukwu, took to his verified Twitter account on Wednesday to announce the heartbreaking news.

Alongside a photo of the actress, Okechukwu wrote, “Nwanyi oma, REST IN PEACE. I am devastated beyond words. It’s incredibly difficult for me to comprehend that just last night, while I was preparing to pay for your flight ticket to complete what we had started, you departed to be with the Lord.”

“I pray that I find the strength to recover from this shock. Life is truly fleeting. One moment it’s here, the next it’s gone. Throughout the more than 20 years that I’ve known you, you have been an amazing, kind-hearted, and lovely soul to be around.”

“I never anticipated that you would leave us in such an abrupt manner. Words fail me. Rest peacefully, Cynthia. May your gentle soul find eternal rest until we reunite in glory.”

Last year, Okereke and fellow actor Clemson Cornel were abducted in Enugu but were fortunately released unharmed a few days later after being declared missing.

Okereke’s passing adds to the growing list of recent losses in the movie industry. High-profile names such as Saint Obi, Don Brymo, Murphy Afolabi, Femi Ogunrobi (Papa Ajasco), and Chikezie Uwazie have bid farewell in recent times.