Uche Odoputa Announces Father’s Empty-Casket Funeral Three Years After Kidnap

Nollywood actor Uche Odoputa has announced plans to hold an empty-casket funeral for his late father, Kenneth Chukwumezie Odoputa, because his family has not recovered his remains following his abduction and death.

The actor disclosed this in an emotional social media post, revealing that the family would organise the funeral in a few weeks despite having no body to bury.

Odoputa said the decision was aimed at honouring his father’s life, dignity and the love he shared with his family.

“We have no body to lay to rest, but we have his life to remember, his dignity to honour and our love to express,” he wrote.

The actor also described his father as an “Honestman”, assuring that the family would continue to celebrate his memory despite the painful circumstances surrounding his death.

According to previous reports, Kenneth Odoputa and his friend, Raphael Ojukwu, were abducted by gunmen in Imo State in May 2022.

The actor had raised the alarm on social media at the time, appealing to Nigerians to pray for his father’s safe return.

In a subsequent account of the incident, Odoputa disclosed that his family paid ransom to secure the release of his father and his friend, but both men were reportedly killed by their abductors.

The actor said the experience had left his family with years of grief, particularly his mother and siblings, who have continued to struggle with the loss.

He also encouraged people dealing with grief to speak with trusted individuals and seek emotional support.

“Dad, we love you. We remember you. We will always honour you,” he added.