A wave of confusion swept across social media following viral claims that legendary Nollywood actor Pete Edochie had passed away at the age of 78.
The reports, widely circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube on Tuesday, February 10, alleged that the veteran actor had been rushed to the hospital and later died. Some posts even claimed that his eldest son had confirmed the news on Instagram.
However, thorough fact-checking has revealed that these claims are entirely false and not supported by any credible source.
As of February 10, 2026, no reputable Nigerian or international media outlet has reported the death of the revered actor. There has also been no verified statement from any member of the Edochie family confirming the rumor.
Notably, neither Yul Edochie nor Uche Edochie has announced the actor’s death.
In previous instances, Uche Edochie publicly dismissed similar rumors, revealing that false reports about his father’s death have circulated repeatedly for over two decades.
This latest incident is not the first time the respected actor has been the subject of death hoaxes. Similar false stories first surfaced as early as 2012 and resurfaced multiple times between 2020 and 2023. The hoaxes continued intermittently from 2024 to 2026, often spread by clickbait pages seeking to generate reach and engagement.
Earlier versions of the rumor claimed he had died abroad or as a result of an accident, but all were later debunked.
For now, there is no evidence to support the viral claims, and Pete Edochie remains alive according to all available credible information.
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