The Nigerian comedy industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of skit maker Raji Adetola, better known as Mr Sanku Comedy.
The comedian reportedly died on Monday after a fatal car accident along the Oyo–Ogbomoso road in Ibadan. Photos and videos from the crash, which quickly circulated online, showed the vehicle plunged into a ditch.
Sanku, who was in the car with a friend, was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away a few hours later. Reports suggest his friend is in critical condition, though details remain unclear.
Rising to fame in 2021, Mr Sanku built a loyal following with his unique storytelling style and comic skits. His untimely death has left fans and colleagues heartbroken.
Skit maker Ozain Comedy paid tribute on Instagram with the words: “Rest well, soldier.” Influencer Jidex also posted on TikTok: “Rest in peace.”
Nollywood actress Funmi Awelewa confirmed the news in an emotional Instagram post. She revealed that she had initially been told by a student living near Bowen Hospital that Sanku was responding to treatment, sparking hope that he would pull through.
“When I saw the news online, I quickly sent one of my students to check, and he told me he met one of your friends at the hospital who said you were responding to treatment. I prayed… we prayed! But sadly, you didn’t survive,” she wrote.
In a heartbreaking twist, Sanku’s last video before the accident has since gone viral. Shared on his TikTok page, where he had over 1.9 million followers, the clip showed him praying not to lose his life just as he was beginning to reap the fruits of his hard work.
