Popular Nollywood actor Owolabi Ajasa, widely known for his role as a police officer and for the catchphrase “Ta lo pa chief,” has debunked viral reports claiming he had died.
The rumor started circulating on Friday, July 17, after an obituary poster announcing his supposed death began making rounds on social media. The graphic, which carried Ajasa’s photo, quickly spread across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, sparking concern among fans both in Nigeria and abroad
“Good day everyone, my name still remains Owolabi Ajasa, your Nollywood police officer,” he said. “I want to tell all my fans both in Nigeria and abroad that I’m still much alive. I’m alive, hale and hearty. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
He ended the short video with a firm message to those behind the fake news:
“To everyone posting my obituary around, I’m saying back to the sender to you and your family.
For years, Ajasa has been one of the most recognizable character actors in Nollywood, particularly in crime and police roles. His line “Ta lo pa chief” — Yoruba for “who killed the chief” — became a fan favorite and turned him into something of a meme within Nigerian film circles.
He is often cast as the no-nonsense police officer in Yoruba and English-language films, and his stern expression and commanding voice have made him a go-to for directors needing authority on screen.
That familiarity is likely why the death rumor gained traction so quickly. In Nollywood, fake obituaries of veteran actors have become a recurring problem on social media, often shared by clickbait pages looking for engagement.
Ajasa’s video was not just a personal clarification. It was also a callout of the platforms and individuals who continue to spread false information about public figures.while he did not name specific pages, he made it clear he was tired of seeing himself and colleagues dragged into death hoaxes.
This is not the first time a Nollywood actor has had to debunk their own death online. Over the past few years, several veterans including Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, and Jide Kosoko have all had to appear on camera to prove they were alive after similar rumors.
The pattern is usually the same: an obituary graphic is designed, shared in groups, and then picked up by blogs. By the time the actor responds, the news has already reached thousands of people.
For families, friends, and fans, the panic is real. For the actors, it’s exhausting.within hours of Ajasa posting his video, comments filled with relief and prayers poured in. Many fans said they had been worried after seeing the poster, while others criticized the people who create and share such content.
“Thank God you’re alive daddy,” one fan wrote.
“These people no get joy. Why will you wish someone dead for clout?” another commented.ajasa thanked his supporters and urged them to verify information before sharing it.
Media experts say death hoaxes spread because they trigger strong emotional reactions — shock, sadness, nostalgia — which leads to more shares and clicks. For content farms, that translates to traffic and ad revenue.
In Ajasa’s case, the use of his police persona likely made the fake news feel more “believable” to some. His stern, authoritative screen presence is so associated with serious news and crime scenes that seeing him in an obituary format didn’t immediately seem out of place to casual scrollers.
Nollywood stakeholders have repeatedly called for stricter moderation on social media platforms and for fans to be more discerning. But until platforms take faster action on false obituaries, actors say the best defense is to speak up quickly, as Ajasa did.ajasa made it clear in his video that he is not only alive but doing well. He did not mention any new projects, but he reassured fans that he remains active in the industry.
At 18+ years in the business, he has become one of the familiar faces that audiences instantly recognize, even if they don’t always know his name. That kind of recognition comes with a downside: you become an easy target for rumors.but for now, the message is simple. The Nollywood police officer is fine.
“I’m still much alive in good health,” Ajasa said, smiling at the camera. “There’s nothing wrong with me.he video has since been reshared widely, with many fans using it to correct the false posts in their groups and timelines
