Junior Pope: More tears as police launch probe

The Actors Guild of Nigeria has barred actors under its franchise from shooting movies in riverine areas and participating in boat rides, following the tragic boat accident that claimed the life of Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, and four crew members.

PUNCH Metro reported that Nollywood actor, Pope Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, died in a boat accident while returning from a movie location alongside other actors around Cable Point at the waterside of River Niger.

While seven people were rescued, Odonwodo and another crew member identified as Friday were recovered dead. Three other persons were also declared missing on the spot.

In a video he posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, Junior Pope, who was on a boat without a life jacket, pleaded with the captain to go slowly.

In a circular dated April 11, 2024, and posted on social media on Thursday, the guild’s President, Emeka Rollas, also announced that all actors of the AGN franchise have been barred from featuring in any film produced by Adanma Luke until further notice.

The AGN statement read, “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point Asaba on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.

“There should be no shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Punch