The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has provided additional details regarding the tragic boat accident in Anambra State, shedding light on the count of individuals involved, including casualties and survivors. The incident involved the well-known Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, widely recognized as ‘Junior Pope.’
Setting the record straight, NIWA Area Manager Mr. Suleiman Nicholas informed the media that contrary to earlier assertions placing the incident in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, the actual occurrence transpired in the Akpaka Area, a suburban region bridging Onitsha and Nsugbe within Anambra East Local Government Area. Importantly, the victims had embarked on a movie shoot in Anam before the tragic journey back.
Mr. Nicholas went on to reveal that there were twelve individuals aboard the ill-fated boat, with seven fortunate enough to be rescued alive. Tragically, two individuals were found deceased, while three remain unaccounted for. Notably, among the missing, two are female, while one is male.
The NIWA Area Manager confirmed that their team has swiftly arrived at the scene of the incident in the Akpaka Area of Onitsha and Nsugbe, coordinating rescue and recovery missions in partnership with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and the Marine Police.
Read also: Nollywood Actor, Junior Pope Finally Confirmed Dead
Asked if the popular Nollywood actor, John Paul Odobwido, aka Junior Pope was one of the dead victims, he said “my people said Junior Pope was one of the dead’.
Further question on the cause of the incident, Mr Nicholas 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 occurrence of this latest boating mishap marks a distressingly short interval of only three months since the unfortunate events of January 4th to 5th, when a similar incident took place in Umumu Umuebwelum Anam, Anambra West Local Government area.
Investigations into the January tragedy unveiled that the boat departed from the Ojolofe Idah Water Front, located within the purview of Idah Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Regrettably, its journey to Umumu Umuebwelum Anam, situated in Anambra West Local Government Area, was cut short when the vessel collided with an obstruction and overturned.