The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has recovered the corpse of the Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, along with one other body, and rescued seven persons. Three other people from the ill-fated boat are still missing.
The Nigerian Tribune had earlier reported that the Nollywood actors were said to be returning to Onitsha after shooting a movie at Anam in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State.
NIWA Area Manager in Onitsha, Mr. Suleiman Nicholas, said that contrary to the claim that the incident happened in Anam, Anambra West, it actually occurred at Akpaka, a high-brow suburb of Onitsha, and Nsugbe in Anambra East local government area. According to Nicholas, twelve persons boarded the ill-fated boat, which was almost reaching its destination when it capsized.
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He mentioned that out of the three missing persons, two are female, while one is male. He added that his men were already at the scene of the incident at the Akpaka area, conducting rescue and recovery activities, along with the men of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and the Marine Police.
When asked if the popular Nollywood actor John Paul Odobwido, aka Junior Pope, was one of the dead victims, Nicholas said, “My people said Junior Pope was one of the dead.” He further added, “Whatever information you get now as the cause of the incident may not be accurate as we are awaiting 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.”