The bottom line however is that the bad roads in the country is the major contributor to the death of these stars. The news of the death of a promising film director, Aminu H. Yakasai and an actress Maijidda Mohammed, who lost their lives along Kano-Katsina road, just after Bichi, when the vehicle they were travelling with got involved in a ghastly accident, is still fresh in the minds of the people. They were on their way to Katsina to shoot the film, Arziki Da Tashin Hankali. The duo died on the spot.
However, the first major incident of accident in the industry was that of Balaraba Mohammed, who is a shining star among the Kannywood actresses; she was on the grade A actresses and had everything going for her. She was a combination of brain and beauty, who had just gotten married to another lead actor in the industry; Shuaibu Lawan Kumurci. But she died in a ghastly accident when she was being conveyed to her groom’s house in Kano from Kaduna as a bridegroom. The incident occurred along the Kaduna-Zaria, part of the Kano-Kaduna dual carriage way. Many of her fans wept when they heard about the untimely end of the life of the promising actress. A lot of them could not believe the story even after it became clear that the screen goddess was no more. Because of how much her fans adored her, there was a rumour about her resurrection, which spread like wild fire to the extent that some were even swearing that they saw her alive. It took time before some of these people come to terms with reality.
Another tragic exit was the one involving Malam Kassim, Nura Mohammed and Ali Bala who met their sudden death near Zaria, along the Kano-Kaduna dual carriage way, when the vehicle they were travelling with got involved in an accident that sent them to their early grave. Malam Kassim was an actor; Nura Mohammed was an artist while Ali Bala was a cameraman, travelling to Kaduna where they planned to produce Aminu Mai Dawayya’s album, which was never a reality, as they perished before they could make it to Kaduna.
Ahmed S. Nuhu had climbed through the ranks to establish himself as one of the best actors in the industry. He had won many awards and was one of the fans favourite. It never occurred to the late Ahmed who was jovially cruising in his car to Maiduguri from Kano that it was his turn for the journey to the land of his ancestors. The car he was travelling ran into a pot hole and before he could muster enough tact to swerve the car to position, the force was too much and the car went on a chained somersault that took it almost half a kilometre before finally letting a screeching sound that sent shivers down the spines, an eye witnesses said. He was travelling with a colleague, Hamza Jos on an invitation from Maiduguri where they were to perform at a wedding ceremony but they never to got their destination as they both lost their lives in the accident.
Another road accident that claimed the lives of Kannywood actors was the one that involved Hussaina Gombe (Tsigai), and a colleague; Sha’aibu Dan Wanzan. The duo were coming back from Lagos where they were said to have performed but never to return as they lost their lives in an accident. As a film character, Tsigai was a humorous character, blessed with a mouth to talk that she even prides herself of the ability to pay back one thousand times if ever provoked by a single remark which she felt insulting. As a house wife in movies, she always performs her matrimonial duties and accords respect to her husband the way it should be but, never allows her husband to go beyond borders, she will rise up to challenge him come what may and it always pays up. Sha’aibu Dan Wazan on the other hand was equally a very good character that always tries to link up past of and present, especially by way of his trade as a native barber. Apart from the instinctive humour in his compelling personality, he always carries his viewers along in his films in the most simple way through the choice of words that does not hurt anybody’s feelings.
Lately, the shocking news of the death of Hajiya Jamila Haruna came last month. She died on Kano-Abuja way on her way back from the last PDP special national convention. Jamila was also a good actress who always acts with passion that her fans never get tired of her films. She was said to be relating very well with her other colleagues, she was humble, dutiful who never disappoints when it comes to business.
Also, memories of the pioneer of Hausa film director, Tijjani Ibrahim, Umar Katakore, Sha’aibu Kulu, Baffa Yautai, Hajiya Hassana, Aisha Kaduna (Shamsiyya), Rabiu Ma-ji-ma-gani, Hajiya Karima and Kabiru Kabuya, all lost their lives when their stars were shining.
Some Kannywood Stars who lost their lives through accidents and the likes:
1. Balaraba Mohammed
2. Ahmed S. Nuhu
3. Hajiya Jamila Haruna
4. Hussaina Gombe (Tsigai)
5. Shuaibu Dan Wanzam
6. Malam Kasim
7. Nura Mohammed
8. Ali Bala
9. Maijidda Mohammed
10. Hamza Jos
11. Tijjani Ibrahim
12. Umar Katakore
13. Shuaibu Kulu
14. Baffa Yautai
15. Hajiya Hassana
16. Aisha Kaduna (Shamsiyya)
17. Rabiu Maji Magani
18. Hajiya Karima
19. Kabiru Kabuya