Police: Seven rescued, three missing in Anambra boat mishap

The Anambra police command says seven persons have been rescued in the boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope Odowodo, a Nollywood actor.

On Wednesday, the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) confirmed the death of Odowodo and two other crew members in the boat mishap while on their way back from a movie set.

The actors were reportedly said to have drowned in the River Niger after their boat capsized.

In a statement on Thursday, Aderemi Adeoye, the commissioner of police in Anambra, said the marine police in the state responded swiftly after being notified of the mishap.

“The commissioner of police in Anambra state, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of actors who lost their lives as a result of a boat accident which occurred on the River Niger in the afternoon of Wednesday,  10th April 2024,” the statement reads.

“On being notified of the capsize, Anambra command marine police deployed for rescue operations and successfully rescued six actors and one actress from the water.

“Two others who were unconscious were also pulled out with the aid of fishermen and conveyed to the Delta state command marine police jetty where other members of the crew who travelled in the first boat were waiting and handed over to the president of the Actors Guild for conveyance to the Hospital while the rescue team went back in search of three others who are still missing as at the time of this release.

“Although the accident happened within the jurisdiction of Anambra state command, issues relating to the release of bodies of the accident victims for a decent burial are to be handled by Delta state police command.”

The commissioner added that further investigation has been launched to determine the “criminal liability of anyone in connection to the mishap”.