Police in Anambra State have retrieved three more victims from a boat tragedy involving a movie crew.
Junior Pope Odonwodo, a Nollywood star, was among the crew members that lost in a boat accident two days ago.
While several crew members have yet to be found following the boat catastrophe, Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, said that three more bodies of movie cast members have been recovered.
“Marine Police of Anambra State Command has recovered bodies of the three remaining victims of the unfortunate boat accident involving a movie cast,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.
“Two of the bodies were recovered yesterday 11th April, 2024 while the last was washed in by the tide this morning.”
The bodies have been lodged at a morgue in Asaba, Delta State, and the guild of actors has been informed of the recovery.
The statement reported the state’s police commissioner, Aderemi Adeoye, as encouraging water travelers to remain cautious while in transit.
According to the commissioner, the police are expediting the investigation into the accident.
Actors Guild Suspends Fillmaker
Their deaths have sparked indignation among Nigerians, particularly Nollywood fans, who feel the disaster could have been avoided if safety precautions had been implemented during the filming of “Another Side of Life”.
Following the tragedy, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) prohibited movie shoots in riverine areas and boat trips. It also suspended Adamma Luke, the filmmaker who was producing the ill-fated film.
“The leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions: (1) All films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are at this moment suspended indefinitely, (2) no shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024,” AGN president Emeka Rollas said Thursday.
“(3)The film titled ‘Another Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely (4) No actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice. (5) While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace.”