The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on a tragic boat accident that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including popular Nollywood actor Paul Odonwodo, known professionally as Junior Pope.
The incident occurred on April 10, 2024, in the Anam River, Anambra State, involving a boat carrying 12 actors and crew members.
During a press briefing on Friday, NSIB Director General Capt. Alex Badeh Jn presented findings from the incident, highlighting significant safety lapses. The report revealed that the boat driver was not certified, and the boat itself was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority, raising serious concerns about compliance with safety regulations.
According to the report, the speedboat capsized, throwing all occupants into the river. Seven individuals were rescued alive, but five were fatally injured, including Nollywood talents such as Ms. Abigail Frederick, Mr. Precious Oforum, and Mr. Joseph Anointing. The NSIB was initially unaware of the incident and only learned about it through social media, prompting an investigation by their Enugu Regional office.
Capt. Badeh detailed the circumstances leading to the accident, noting that the boat driver was distracted and not adhering to safety protocols. The boat was traveling at high speed when it collided with a slower-moving wooden fishing canoe, causing it to capsize.
“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 high speed, resulting in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard being flung into the Anam River,” said Capt. Badeh.
The preliminary report highlighted several safety deficiencies:
- Only one passenger on the boat was wearing a life jacket, which they had brought themselves.
- The boat lacked a manifest of passengers.
- The rescue operation was delayed, and there were no trained divers available to assist.
In response to these findings, the NSIB has dispatched investigators to the site and plans to provide a detailed analysis in their final report. The bureau issued safety recommendations, urging the
