Nollywood star, Sam Loco, passes away at 66

The cold hands of death Saturday visited the entertainment industry, when veteran actor, Mr. Samuel Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke, popularly known as Sam Loco Efe, died  on location in his hotel room in Owerri, Imo State.

He was said to have been enjoying his drinks at the bar of a popular hotel, located along Amakohia/Orlu Road, Owerri, at about 10pm on Saturday before he died.

However, a source at the hotel in Owerri told THISDAY on the condition of anonymity that the late actor was in good condition when he was last seen at about 10pm at the hotel bar drinking.

Similarly, a Nollywood actor (names withheld), told THISDAY that he led the late actor to his room No. 204 at about 11pm and left home thereafter. Late Saturday  night, the late actor called him to remind him of an appointment for 12noon the following day.

“But I was surprised when I was called by the hotel management to come over. On getting there, his room was locked and since there was no sign of anybody in the room they had to climb through the window and discovered the lifeless body of the late actor on the seat without shirts. His inhaler was by his side. We had to call the police on the scene,” he said.

When THISDAY visited the hotel, there was no sign of any ugly incident that happened there, even as the hotel workers were busy doing their work but discussing in low tones. They could not talk to THISDAY on the matter.

The hotel manager, Mr. Dan, who was spoken to on phone expressed surprise, saying “I’m not aware, because I am outside Owerri. I am going to call the hotel now to confirm.”

Confirming the death of the Nollywood actor, the Imo State Police command through the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Linus Nwaiwu said the information had gotten to their command.

“We have received information on the death of Sam Loco Efe from the hotel, our homicide unit is still working on the information,” he said.

Meanwhile, the corpse of the late actor has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owerri.
It would be recalled that Sam Loco Efe was one of Nollywoods most talented actors of contemporary Nigerian theatre and had for many years distinguished himself as a rare talent both in television and stage drama.

This Day

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