THE Anambra State Police Command said it had recovered three more bodies following a boat mishap that claimed the life of a Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, on Wednesday, April 10.
In a statement on Friday, April 12, the command’s public relations officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the bodies were recovered between Thursday and Friday, April 11 and 12.
“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 (Commissioner of Police) 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,” Ikenga said.
On Thursday, April 11, The ICIR reported the president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, as confirming Pope’s death.
He was returning with four others from a shoot for a movie titled “Another Side of Life” produced by Adanma Luke when the boat conveying them capsized around Cable Point at the waterside of River Niger in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Following his death, the (AGN) banned the shooting of movies in riverine areas and suspended the movie producer, Luke.
The AGN also declared April 11 “No Shoot Day” for all actors and producers in the industry and condoled with the deceased’s families.
There were speculations that the actor was still alive hours after the accident on Wednesday. However, he was confirmed dead early on Thursday.
His death sparked public outrage as many Nigerians questioned the absence of live jackets and divers at the scene.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.