Junior Pope: Boat Driver Who Carried Late Actor, Others Not Certified – NSIB

A preliminary report released on Friday by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on the boat accident involving some Nollywood actors, including Junior Pope, which occurred in Anambra, declared that the boat driver was not certified.

The NSIB disclosed this during a media briefing on the bureau’s release of four final and preliminary reports.

Osun Defender reports that the boat accident occurred in Anam River in Anambra State on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

It was conveying 12 actors and crew members before it crashed resulting in the loss of five passengers including popular Nollywood actor, Mr. Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

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Others who died in the incident were Ms. Abigail Frederick, Mr. Precious Oforum, and Mr. Joseph Anointing.

Presented by the Director General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jn were two Aviation incident final reports, one aviation incident preliminary report, and a marine accident preliminary report, along with 20 safety recommendations.

Engr. Abdullahi Babanya, Director, Transport Investigation, who presented the findings of the preliminary report and others during the briefing, stated that the speed boat capsized and all occupants were flung into the Anam River.

According to him, five passengers were fatally injured and seven were rescued alive.

According to NSIB, initial findings were that the boat driver was not certified; The fibre boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority; The outboard engine fibre boat was carrying 12 passengers and one boat driver.

The director said, “There was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe. This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver and he was not looking out as required.

“The boat was on high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed.

“The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped; The boat collided with the canoe at a high speed which resulted in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard were flung into Anam River.”

The preliminary report stated that while five passengers on the boat were fatally injured, the remaining seven passengers and the driver survived the crash.

“Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.

“The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat. Rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”