Francis Duru, Ahanna in Rattlesnake, dies at 57

Francis Duru, the Nollywood actor best known as Ahanna in Amaka Igwe's 1995 classic Rattlesnake, has died at the age of 57.

His family announced on his official Instagram that he died in the early hours of Friday, 23 October 2026. "We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness," the statement said. The national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, confirmed the news.

From Cameroon to Port Harcourt

Francis Ogide Duru was born in Cameroon in July 1969 to Nigerian parents from Imo State, according to his Wikipedia biography. He studied theatre arts at the University of Port Harcourt.

He made his screen debut in 1989 in Missing Mark. Six years later came the role that made him a household name.

Ahanna

In Rattlesnake, Francis Duru played Ahanna. Many people in Ghana who grew up on VHS-era Nollywood knew his face. On Friday, X filled with tributes and childhood memories of him.

Off the screen

In 2007, he received a United Nations Ambassador of Peace award for his work with young people. In 2010, his colleagues made him interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria.

In August 2024, he lost his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi. On Instagram he wrote: "My champ!! my lion… you fought like a lion… if this is the way He wants it, so be it, I still judge you faithful."

For the children of the cassette era, from Lagos to Accra, he will always be Ahanna.