The Actors Guild of Nigeria has barred actors under its franchise from shooting movies in riverine areas and participating in boat rides, following the tragic boat accident that claimed the life of Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, and four crew members.
According Metro reported that Nollywood actor, Pope Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, died in a boat accident while returning from a movie location alongside other actors around Cable Point at the waterside of River Niger.
While seven people were rescued, Odonwodo and another crew member identified as Friday were recovered dead. Three other persons were also declared missing on the spot.
In a video he posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, Junior Pope, who was on a boat without a life jacket, pleaded with the captain to go slowly.
In a circular dated April 11, 2024, and posted on social media on Thursday, the guild’s President, Emeka Rollas, also announced that all actors of the AGN franchise have been barred from featuring in any film produced by Adanma Luke until further notice.
The AGN statement read, “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point Asaba on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.
“There should be no shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
“The film titled ‘The Other Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely.
“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice.
“While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command on Thursday said it has begun an investigation to determine the cause of the boat accident that occurred in the Anambra West Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, who extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased in the film industry in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said one of the two boats that conveyed the crew to a film location in the area was returning to Asaba, where it took off from when the accident occurred.
The Commissioner said, on being notified of the incident, Anambra Command Marine Police were deployed for rescue operations and successfully rescued six actors and one actress from the water.
He noted that two other persons 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.
He said the rescue team went back in search of three other persons, who are still missing as of the time of this release.
The statement further read, “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 on Wednesday. He prayed Almighty God to grant their souls a sweet repose.
“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 release of bodies of the accident victims for a decent burial are to be handled by the Delta State Police Command.”
Adeoye also added that preliminary enquiry has given insight into the cause of the accident while exhaustive investigation has been ordered to determine criminal liability of any person, if any, in the mishap.
Also recounting the last moments leading up to the incident, one of the survivors identified simply as TC said the accident occurred due to the lack of experience of the individual steering the boat.
Speaking during an Instagram live session, TC said: “Before I entered the boat, the first thing Junior Pope asked me was ‘What am I doing?’ And I said I was observing the water people. I can’t pass without sharing something. I have given them Fanta, so I don’t want anything bad to happen to me. Junior Pope agreed.
“While we were going, the boat guy was wearing an earpiece, and Junior Pope was doing a video, I saw a small canoe with fishermen in front and due to his lack of experience, he drove right into the last point of the canoe, and we somersaulted.”
Meanwhile, the remains of two of the three missing victims have been reportedly recovered from the water.
A movie producer, Stanley Nwoke, disclosed on his Instagram story on Thursday.
He wrote, “Two bodies have been found. The makeup artist and the light/camera assistant. Remaining the sound guy.”
