Months after the devastating boat mishap that claimed the life of beloved Nollywood actor Junior Pope, new details have emerged revealing the true cause of the tragedy and it wasn’t what many had initially believed.
According to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the boat accident that occurred in April 2024 on the Anam River in Anambra State, was caused by human error, not mechanical failure or weather-related issues.
This revelation was made by NIWA’s Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, during a multi-modal transportation stakeholders forum held in Abuja on Thursday. Speaking candidly to industry professionals and government officials, Oyebamiji expressed concern over the continued disregard for safety protocols on Nigeria’s waterways.
“It was not mechanical failure, not impediments in the water or weather challenges, but purely a flagrant disregard for rules and regulations guiding movement on the inland waterways,” he said.
Oyebamiji also revealed that some of the passengers involved in the fatal incident had rejected life jackets offered to them before the boat departed, a decision that may have ultimately cost them their lives.
“Some of the passengers on board before the fatality happened rejected life jackets offered to them,” he added.
The incident, which took place as the crew was returning from the set of the movie “Another Side of Life” produced by Adanma Luke, sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Junior Pope, a charismatic actor known for his vibrant on-screen presence and dedication to his craft, was one of five individuals who drowned after the boat capsized near Cable Point at the waterside of River Niger in Asaba, Delta State.
The loss not only devastated fans but also sparked a broader conversation about marine safety, especially within the entertainment industry where location shoots often require river travel.
In light of the tragedy, Oyebamiji stressed that such disregard for basic safety practices undermines the agency’s efforts to secure inland waterways and protect lives.
He called on filmmakers, boat operators, and all waterway users to collaborate with NIWA in raising awareness about safety regulations, especially in remote or frequently used film locations.
The Abuja forum, which brought together key players from across Nigeria’s transport and aviation sectors, was also attended by prominent figures including Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace Limited.
As Nigeria mourns one of its shining stars, the message from authorities is clear: the rules are there to protect lives and ignoring them has irreversible consequences.
