Police Recover Three More Bodies From Junior Pope Boat Mishap

Anambra State police authorities have recovered three more bodies from the boat accident involving the movie cast, including Nollywood actor, Junior Pope.

On April 10th, a popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, and four others were confirmed dead in the boat tragedy that occurred along the coastline of the River Niger.

The boat, one of two that conveyed a movie crew to a film location in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state, was returning to its takeoff point in Asaba, Delta State when the unfortunate accident occurred.

While some crew members were yet to be found following the boat tragedy, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command Tochukwu Ikenga said three more bodies of members of the movie cast have been recovered.

He said, “The two of the bodies were recovered on Thursday, April 11, 2024, while the last was washed in by the tide this morning.

“All the bodies have been deposited in the hospital mortuary in Asaba while the President of the Guild of Actors and Actresses has been notified of the recovery.

“The CP promised an expedited investigation into the sad accident that claimed the lives of five actors. He also commended the Command’s  Marine Unit and its Commander for dedication to duty.”

According to recent reports by movie producer Stanley Ontop, the body of the makeup artist has been buried at the riverbank in a small ceremony, due to lack of funds to take her back to Akwa Ibom.

Although the funeral arrangements for the rest of them have not been concluded, the body of the makeup artist, Abigail, has been buried by the river bank in a small ceremony.

Movie director, Moses Eskor, claimed her father could not provide the money needed for some traditional rites to get her body shipped back to her home state.

Although they tried to raise some money, it was not enough.

This tragedy prompted the Actors Guild of Nigeria to bar its actors from all film productions involving riverine areas and boat rides.

It also suspended filmmaker Adamma Luke who was producing the ill-fated movie.

“The leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions: (1) All films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are at this moment suspended indefinitely, (2) no shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024,” AGN president Emeka Rollas said on Thursday.

By Ezinne Okorie.