Nollywood production manager Anierobi Courage, popularly known as Nwa South, has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a crew member, Mary Chizzy Eze, who served as the head of makeup on the set of the film Lagos to Opulence.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, sparked outrage across social media after a viral video showed Courage physically attacking the makeup artist while others attempted to intervene.
In the footage, the production manager was seen hitting Mary and grabbing her by the neck before crew members stepped in to separate them.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by members of the film crew community, the altercation started after Mary reportedly complained about poor working conditions and inadequate accommodation, claiming that 15 female crew members were forced to share a single room.
The statement read:
“On the 28th of October, 2025, on the set of Caddilly Production’s Lagos to Opulence, production manager Anierobi Courage (aka Nwa South) violently assaulted the head of makeup, Mary Chizzy Eze, after she spoke up about unequal treatment among the crew. He has since been arrested, while the victim has received medical care.”
The Nigerian Film Crew Community condemned Courage’s actions, describing them as “violent and dehumanising.” The group also called for his temporary blacklisting from future film projects pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We strongly condemn this violent and animalistic behaviour, as well as the inhumane accommodation conditions where 15 female crew members were lodged in one room,” the statement added.
“This level of disregard for human dignity is unacceptable. We stand firmly against all forms of abuse, assault, and crew maltreatment in Nollywood.”
Reports indicate that Courage, who has previously served as a casting director on several Nollywood productions, was taken into police custody following the incident, while Mary is said to be recovering from her injuries.
The Nigerian Film Crew Community has also urged producers and guilds to enforce stricter welfare and safety standards for all crew members on movie sets.
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