14th April, 2024
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it has launched a thorough investigation over the boat mishap in which Nollywood actor Junior Pope and others died.
Pope and crew members who were doing a film shoot lost their lives in a mishap which occurred on the Anam River in Anambra State when their boat collided with a canoe. This was on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
The NSIB in a statement released on Sunday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, said the inquiry was necessary to unravel the circumstances surrounding the accident, discover contributing factors, and come up with a proposal to prevent future similar tragedies.
The statement quoted the NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, as saying “The investigation scope includes, but is not limited to, examination of the wreckage from both vessels involved in the collision, interviews with surviving crew members and eyewitnesses, review of operational procedures for the commercial speed boat, analysis of weather and environmental conditions at the time of the accident, and assessment of compliance with relevant safety standards and regulations for inland waterway transportation.”
The statement said the NSIB will work with the Anambra State Police Command’s Marine Police section, maritime authorities, and industry experts in its investigation.
“The NSIB extends its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking accident.”
“We share in your grief and are fully committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this tragedy and prevent similar occurrences in the future,” Badeh said.