In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through Nigeria's vibrant film industry, two seasoned Nollywood crew members were discovered dead under mysterious circumstances on a movie set in Lekki, Lagos. The incident, which occurred earlier this month, has raised questions about safety protocols on film productions and left colleagues and fans mourning the untimely loss.
The victims have been identified as Gabriel Emir, popularly known as GT or God's Time, a respected lighting director and owner of a lighting equipment rental business, and Ayodeji, also referred to as Deji or Iodi, a talented cinematographer and creative video maker. The two, who were close friends and frequent collaborators, were found unresponsive in GT's vehicle parked at the set near Evercare Hospital in Lekki Phase 1 on February 7, 2026.
According to details emerging from the production, the duo arrived early that Saturday to handle lighting and scene setups for an ongoing film shoot. After completing their initial tasks, they reportedly took a break in the vehicle with the air conditioning running. Around 11 a.m., members of the welfare team delivered food to them, which they consumed inside the car as principal photography kicked off.
Filming continued throughout the day without their direct involvement, with assistants stepping in where needed. It wasn't until the wrap around 8 p.m. that the crew realized something was amiss. Upon checking the vehicle, they found Gabriel slumped over with foam around his mouth and Ayodeji unresponsive, showing no obvious signs of struggle or injury. The car itself appeared undisturbed, with no evidence of foul play such as broken windows or forced entry.
Emergency services were called, and the bodies were rushed to a nearby hospital—possibly Evercare—where they were pronounced dead. The Lagos State Police quickly took over the scene, and the case was handed to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough probe.
An autopsy has since been conducted, ruling out food poisoning as the cause of death. One victim had an empty stomach, while the other showed minimal food residue, which has puzzled investigators. Toxicology reports are pending, with results expected in the coming weeks to check for possible exposure to poisons, chemicals, or gases. Initial suspicions led to the brief detention of welfare staff and food providers, but they were released after the autopsy findings.
Speculation has swirled around the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, a silent killer that can build up in enclosed spaces like a running vehicle with poor ventilation. Industry insiders have noted that long hours and high-pressure environments on sets can lead to oversights in personal safety, and this tragedy underscores the need for better awareness.
Gabriel Emir and Ayodeji were pillars in Nollywood's behind-the-scenes world, often working on major projects without the spotlight that actors enjoy. Their deaths come amid a string of recent misfortunes in the industry, including other on-set accidents, highlighting the risks faced by crew members who are the unsung heroes of Nigerian cinema.
As the investigation continues, the film community is calling for improved welfare measures to prevent such heartbreaking incidents. ReportNaija will keep monitoring developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.