The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that the body of Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, was not among those laid to rest near the Anam River.
SP Ikenga Tochukwu, the spokesperson for the Command, clarified this on Sunday, mentioning that only three families of the deceased agreed to have their loved ones buried by the river.
He further explained that after the burial of these three individuals, one family returned to relocate their daughter’s remains for a more appropriate burial in their ancestral home.
Ikenga also stated that Junior Pope’s body was taken to a morgue.
He stated:
“The Command, on an inquiry about the unconfirmed information that the recovered bodies including Junior Pope were buried by the Riverside where the boat accident happened, discovered that three of the deceased families accepted the victims should be buried beside the river.“But later, the family of one of the victims decided to exhume the body to be given a proper burial in her state while the other two were still buried there.
“Also, Junior Pope and one other are still in the morgue and await the deceased families’ funeral arrangements,” he said.
In the wake of actor Junior Pope’s tragic death, which occurred as a result of a boating accident while returning from a movie set, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has taken decisive action.
The AGN President, Emeka Rollas, has issued a statement announcing the suspension of all movies involving riverine areas and boat riding across the country.
Additionally, Rollas has prohibited all actors from participating in any movie produced by Adamma Luke.
Adamma Luke is the producer of the movie in which Junior Pope was featured before his untimely demise. On Wednesday, April 10, Junior Pope and four other crew members were involved in an accident while riding on a boat, leaving the movie location.
Tragically, Junior Pope and one other crew member, identified as Friday, have been confirmed dead, while the bodies of the remaining three crew members are still missing.
Furthermore, the AGN has declared that there will be no shooting in movie locations worldwide on Thursday, April 10, as a mark of respect. The movie “The Other Side Of Life,” produced by Adamma Luke, has also been suspended until further notice.
We had earlier reported that popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, had tragically passed away yesterday, April 10, 2024.
The actor died alongside three of his colleagues while returning from a movie shoot when their boat capsized in Anam River, Anambra state.
Their bodies have been found following the tragic incident.
Junior Pope’s death has been confirmed by filmmaker, Samuel Olatunji. Olatunji shared the tragic news on Wednesday.
He wrote:
“Four actors including Jnr Pope fell into Anam River on their way to a location and their bodies have been recovered.
“What a sad day for Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
Emeka Rollas, the President of Actors Guild President has also confirmed Junior Pope’s death.
“It is true, Junior Pope died today in Asaba in a boat accident.
“We have deposited his corpse in a mortuary in Asaba.
“Four other people were involved but their bodies are yet to be recovered,”.
Just hours before the accident, Junior Pope posted a video of himself on a boat, fervently praying for a safe journey.
Sadly, the accident occurred on April 10th as they were heading back from the location.
He leaves behind his wife and three children. Fans of the actor have taken to social media to lament the tragic end of the popular actor.
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