Police begin investigation into Junior Pope’s death

By Innocent Raphael

Anambra Police Command has initiated an inquiry into the tragic boat accident that resulted in the loss of actor Junior Pope’s life in the River Niger on Wednesday.

The Command’s spokesman,Tochukwu Ikenga, extended Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye’s condolences to the affected families and expressed deep regret over the incident.

He noted that upon learning of the incident, the command promptly acted to rescue the actors involved.

The ill-fated boat was one of two transporting the film crew to a location in Anambra West LGA before heading back to Asaba, where it departed from.

“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,” Ikenga said.

“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,” he added.

He mentioned that while the accident occurred within Anambra State Command’s jurisdiction, matters concerning the release of the victims’ bodies for proper burial fall under the purview of the Delta State Police Command.

He extended Commissioner Adeoye’s condolences to the families, friends, and fans of the deceased actors, expressing prayers for their souls to find peace in the hands of the Almighty.

Ikenga stated that initial investigations shed light on the accident’s cause and emphasized that the Commissioner of Police has initiated a thorough inquiry to ascertain any potential criminal culpability.

Junior Pope embarked on his acting journey in 2006, appearing in over 150 Nollywood productions, including “Bachelor Eve,” “Vengeance of Bullet,” “Bitter Generation,” “The Generals,” “Wrong Initiation,” “The Cat,” “Nkwocha,” “Secret Adventure,” among others.

In 2014, he exchanged vows with his wife, Jennifer Awele, and their union has been blessed with three children.

In his reaction, Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, expressed heartfelt condolences to the Actors Guild of Nigeria and all affected by the untimely passing of John Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, and the other actors involved in the recent River Niger boat accident.

He emphasized the profound loss to the entertainment industry and the nation, offering thoughts and prayers to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased during the challenging period.