The Anambra State Police Command has reported that initial investigations have shed light on the cause of the boat accident that tragically took the life of renowned Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
The cause has, however, not been made public, but the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered an exhaustive investigation with a view to determining criminal liability of any person, if any, in the mishap.
Ikenga, in a statement said, “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.
“They were 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 said 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.
The CP commiserated with the families, friends and fans of the actors who lost their lives as a result of the boat mishap and prayed to God to grant their souls a sweet repose.