Junior Pope: NIWA Rescues 7, Recovers 2 Bodies, 3 Still Missing

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has provided more details regarding the number of casualties and survivors in the boat mishap in Anambra State involving popular Nollywood star John Paul Odonwodo, also known as ‘Junior Pope.’

Contrary to claims that the incident occurred in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, NIWA Area Manager Mr. Suleiman Nicholas clarified that it happened in the Akpaka Area, a suburb of Onitsha and Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area. The victims were returning from Anam, where they had been filming a movie.

Mr. Nicholas further revealed that there were twelve people on the ill-fated boat. Seven were rescued alive, two were found dead, and three remain missing. Among the missing, two are female and one is male.

The NIWA Area Manager confirmed that his team is currently at the scene of the incident in the Akpaka Area of Onitsha and Nsugbe, carrying out rescue and recovery operations alongside the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria and the Marine Police.

Asked if the popular Nollywood actor, John Paul Odobwido, aka Junior Pope was one of the dead victims, he said “my people said Junior Pope was one of the dead’.

Further question on the cause of the incident, Mr Nicholas said “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, my men are on the water now to recover the remaining three missing victims”.

The recent boat mishap is happening barely three months after the January 4th to 5th boat mishap that happened in Umumu Umuebwelum Anam, Anambra West Local Government area.

The ill fated boat involved in the January accident was said to have taken off at Ojolofe Idah Water Front Idah Local Government Area Kogi State and on arrival at Umumu Umuebwelum Anam Anam hit a barrier and capsized.

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