Segun Arinze blasts false illness rumours, calls for BVN-linked social media

By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

Veteran Nollywood actor Segun Arinze has expressed his anger and frustration over false reports circulating on social media, claiming that he was ill and in need of financial assistance.

In an interview with QEDNG, Arinze explained that the rumour began when a woman shared a doctored image of him taken on a movie set, manipulating the photo to make it seem like he was unwell.

The image showed him sitting while a costumier assisted him, and the woman’s altered version falsely suggested he was sick.

Arinze initially ignored the post but was prompted to respond after receiving numerous concerned calls from friends, family, and colleagues.

The actor admitted feeling enraged by the situation, even contemplating confronting the person behind the rumor, but ultimately chose to address it through a video, reassuring the public of his good health.

“I was on set, and the costumier was helping me take off my costume. Someone took the picture, doctored it, and claimed I was sick. I had to clear things up,” Arinze said.

He also revealed that the woman behind the fake news later apologized to him privately, acknowledging her mistake.

Arinze called for stricter regulations on social media, suggesting that users should be required to link their accounts to their National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to prevent the spread of false information.

“There has to be a way of regulating it, just like we do with NIN and BVN. The Nigerian government needs to take this seriously,” he stated.

The actor also denied claims that he fabricated the controversy to promote a film, describing such suggestions as “madness.” He further clarified that he had no intention of taking legal action, preferring to leave the matter in God’s hands.

“I thought about suing, but how many people do you want to sue? I leave them to God,” he said.

Reflecting on the impact of the incident, Arinze explained that false rumors about health can have serious consequences, affecting not only the individual targeted but also their family, friends, and professional opportunities.

“This was about health and falsehood, and it has a domino effect,” he concluded.