Boat driver transporting Junior Pope, other actors not certified – NSIB

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the boat accident that resulted in the deaths of Nollywood actor Pope Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, and three others.

During a press briefing, the NSIB revealed that the boat driver was not certified. Along with this report, the NSIB presented four other final and preliminary reports, along with 20 safety recommendations.

The boat, which was carrying 12 actors and crew members, crashed and resulted in the loss of five passengers.

The Director of Transport Investigation stated that the speedboat capsized, causing all occupants to be thrown into the Anam River. Five passengers were fatally injured, while seven were rescued alive.

The NSIB learned about the accident through social media and dispatched investigators to the site. Initial findings showed that the boat driver was not certified, the fibre boat was not registered, and the boat was carrying 12 passengers and one 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 report indicated that although five passengers aboard the boat sustained fatal injuries, the driver and seven other passengers survived the collision. He continued:

“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. The rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”