Nigerian actor and comedian John Okafor, commonly known as Mr. Ibu, has died. The actor died on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. He was 62. In this article, we explored Mr. Ibu’s cause of death, which was claimed to be a cardiac arrest. Scroll down until you reach the bottom of the page and provide complete information.
John Okafor Cause of Death
On Saturday, March 2, 2024, legendary Nigerian actor and comedian John Okafor died, leaving Nollywood in sadness. The actor, also known as Mr Ibu, was diagnosed with an ailment in October and had to have his leg amputated. He died from a heart arrest at the age of 62.
Okafor was well-known in and outside of Nigeria for several well-received parts in films such as the 2004 success Mr Ibu and its follow-up, Mr Ibu in London, which earned him the nickname Mr Ibu. The Actors Guild of Nigeria confirmed Okafor’s passing.
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John Okafor Passed Away Due to a Cardiac Arrest
On Saturday, March 2, Emeka Rollas, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, confirmed via Instagram that the country’s beloved Mr. Ibu had passed away. Rollas announced:
“Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager for 24 years Mr Don Single Nwuzor.”
“I announce with deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didnt make it. May his soul rest in peace.” He added.
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According to the National Institutes of Health, cardiac arrest happens when the human heart unexpectedly and quickly stops pumping blood. It will entirely cut off blood flow to the brain and other areas of the body.
A variety of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, prevent the heart from pumping blood, which results in cardiac arrests.
In an October Instagram post, John Okafor and his family asked fans and well-wishers to pray and donate money for the actor, who was suffering from a “strange and dangerous illness” that prompted him to amputate one of his legs.
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Several statements from the actor’s family on Instagram indicated that Okafor had endured multiple operations and even had one of his legs amputated to improve his chances of recovery. His family commented in a statement made in November 2023:
“This development has been hard on us all but we’ve had to accept it as Daddy’s new reality to keep him alive.“
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In the most recent post on John Okafor’s account, a statement from December emphasized that Okafor’s original leg amputation did not “correct his health predicament,” therefore the same leg had to be amputated again.
It was also discovered that the actor’s illness and amputation were not the consequence of diabetes, but of chronic blood clotting on his leg owing to dead blood arteries, among other health issues.
The message also revealed:
“The only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country till date is cause the doctors have tagged him “Not Fit to Fly”.. This tag has made it extremely impossible to get him out of the country for advanced treatment as no airline will fly him..“
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According to Arise News, John Okafor passed away at Evercare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos, with his family by his side. The Actors Guild of Nigeria paid tribute to Okafor on Instagram, calling him a “true icon of Nollywood” who spread pleasure, laughter, and smiles across Nigeria. The Actor’s Guild wrote:
“His legacy extends far beyond the realm of entertainment; it is a testament to the power of laughter and the universal language of joy. In a world often fraught with challenges, Mr. Ibu’s ability to light up the darkest of days with his humor was nothing short of miraculous.”
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The tribute closed by urging people to remember the memories John Okafor left behind and thanked the beloved Mr Ibu for bringing laughter and joy into many homes across the country.
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