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Real Cause of Junior Pope’s Death Revealed — NIWA Blames Human Error in Anam River Boat Tragedy

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has attributed the tragic boat accident that claimed the life of popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, and four others in 2024 to human error, citing non-compliance with safety regulations.

Speaking at a multi-modal transportation stakeholders forum in Abuja on Thursday, NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, clarified that the accident, which occurred on the Anam River in Anambra State, was not caused by mechanical failure or adverse weather conditions, but rather by negligence and disregard for waterway safety protocols.

“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,” Oyebamiji stated.

He revealed that some passengers on board the ill-fated boat rejected life jackets offered to them prior to the incident, a decision that ultimately contributed to the high casualty rate.

Oyebamiji lamented that such behavior undermines NIWA’s efforts to ensure safety across Nigeria’s waterways, and he urged greater cooperation from the public in adhering to established safety guidelines.

The forum, attended by key figures including Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema, highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in enhancing transportation safety.

Junior Pope and four crew members drowned in April 2024 while returning from the set of the movie Another Side of Life, produced by Adanma Luke. The boat reportedly capsized near Cable Point on the River Niger in Asaba, Delta State.

The revelation by NIWA reinforces ongoing calls for stricter enforcement of maritime safety measures in Nigeria’s booming film industry and among frequent waterway users.

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