Anambra State remains gripped by sorrow as new details emerge following the devastating boat mishap involving popular Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, known as ‘Junior Pope’. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) disclosed that out of the twelve individuals aboard the ill-fated boat, seven were rescued, while two were tragically found dead.

“Three are still missing and out of the three missing, two are female, while one is male,” revealed NIWA Area Manager Mr. Suleiman Nicholas.

Contrary to earlier reports, the mishap occurred in the Akpaka Area, a suburb of Onitsha and Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area, as the victims were returning from a movie shoot in Anam.

“My people said Junior Pope was one of the dead,” Mr. Nicholas somberly confirmed.

Rescue and recovery efforts are in full swing at the scene, with NIWA personnel, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, and the Marine Police collaborating to locate the missing individuals.

“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,” Mr. Nicholas cautioned. “My men are on the water now to recover the remaining three missing victims.”

As investigations continue, Nollywood remains in mourning, hoping for the safe return of the missing individuals and seeking answers to the tragic incident.

Credit: Punch Metro