By The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has released further information regarding the tragic boat accident that resulted in the loss of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and his companions.
According to Suleiman Nicholas, the NIWA Area Manager, the boat was carrying a total of 12 individuals.
Of these, seven were successfully rescued, while tragically, two were found deceased. Regrettably, three individuals remain missing: two females and one male.
Nicholas stated that their team, in collaboration with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and the Marine Police, is actively engaged in rescue and recovery efforts at the accident site in the Akpaka Area of Onitsha and Nsugbe.
Mr. Nicholas clarified that despite initial reports indicating the incident took place in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, the actual location was the Akpaka Area, situated as a suburb between Onitsha and Nsugbe, within Anambra East Local Government Area.
The tragedy unfolded as the victims were returning from Anam, where they had been on location for a movie shoot.
During the interview, Mr. Nicholas stressed that the information he provided might not be entirely accurate until his team completes their assessment at the scene.
He said: “Whatever you will get now as the cause of the incident may not be accurate. We are waiting for the report from my men who are at the scene of the incident. My men are on the water now to recover the remaining three missing victims,” the Vanguard report highlighted.
Untimely death
The death of Jnr Pope during a film production, “The Other Side of Life” by Adanma Luke, was confirmed on Wednesday after all the efforts to revive him failed.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has declared Thursday as ‘No Shoot Day’ for all Nollywood filmmakers, following the death of the actor and three other crew members who died in a boat accident on Anam River in Anambra State on Wednesday.
Emeka Rollas, National President of AGN, in a statement on Thursday, said that this happened on a movie set titled ‘The Other Side of Life’ produced by Adamma Luke.
In 2006, Junior Pope started attending movie auditions and acting in Nollywood.
He rose to fame in 2007 after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.
