By Rita Okoye
The Anambra state police command says it will be conducting an exhaustive investigation into the boat mishap that claimed the life of actor Jnr Pope and four others.
A statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, says the investigation will be carried out to ascertain the criminal liability of any person, if any, in the mishap.
The statement reads: “The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of actors who lost their lives as a result of a Boat Accident which occurred on the River Niger in the afternoon of Wednesday, 10th April 2024.
The boat, one of two that conveyed the crew to a film location in Anambra West LGA of Anambra State, was returning to Asaba, where it took off from when the accident happened.
On being notified of the capsize, Anambra Command Marine Police deployed for rescue operations and successfully rescued six actors and one actress from the water.
Two others who were unconscious were also pulled out with the aid of fishermen and conveyed to the Delta State Command Marine Police Jetty where other members of the crew who travelled in the first boat were waiting and handed over to the President of the Actors Guild for conveyance to the Hospital while the rescue team went back in search of three others who are still missing as at the time of this release.
Although the accident happened within the jurisdiction of Anambra State Command, issues relating to the release of the bodies of the accident victims for a decent burial are to be handled by Delta State Police Command.
The Commissioner of Police CP Aderemi Adeoye commiserate with family, friends and fans of the actors who died as a result of the boat mishap. He prayed to Almighty God to grant their souls a sweet repose.
Preliminary enquiry has given insight into the cause of the accident. The exhaustive investigation has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police to determine criminal liability of any person, if any, in the mishap.’’
The Sunnewsonline had earlier reported that the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, confirmed the death of Junior Pope and three other crew members.
Despite earlier reports indicating hope, Junior Pope passed away following a devastating boat accident in Asaba.
Emeka Rollas initially offered reassurance about Junior Pope’s condition but later had to apologize for the confusion.
He explained that his initial optimism was due to observing movements in Junior Pope’s hands, but he later confronted the grim reality of the actor’s passing.
Despite the best efforts of medical teams at two prominent hospitals in Asaba, Junior Pope could not be revived.