Adanma Luke, a prominent movie producer, has opened up about the devastating boat accident during the filming of a new movie in Delta State, which resulted in the untimely death of renowned actor Junior Pope and four others.
In her first public statement since the incident, Mrs. Luke attributed Junior Pope’s demise to his decision not to wear a life jacket during the boat ride. She recounted that while she observed the director and the Director of Photography (D.O.P.) donning life jackets, there was one additional life jacket available, but Junior Pope declined it, citing that it was dirty.
In a video shared on her Instagram page, Mrs. Luke expressed regret, stating, “Those individuals who wore life jackets survived the boat accident.” She further revealed that witnesses recounted Junior Pope’s concern for everyone’s safety during the ordeal, but tragically, he disappeared amidst the chaos.
While Mrs. Luke did not explicitly mention whether the other four victims were also without life jackets, the harrowing incident highlights the importance of safety measures during film production.
The fatal accident occurred on Wednesday, April 10, when the boat capsized in Anam River in Anambra State, claiming the lives of Junior Pope and four fellow actors.
Actors Guild of Nigeria takes action
Following Junior Pope’s death, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) took an industry-affecting decisions in response to the tragic deaths of actor John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
Under his leadership as National President, Emeka Rollas, announced a number of measures;
- Suspension of Riverine Film Shoots: All films involving riverine areas and boat riding are suspended indefinitely. This decision aims to prioritize safety and prevent similar mishaps in the future.
- Nationwide Shoot Suspension: There will be no filming activities at any location across the country on Thursday, April 11, 2024. This pause is a mark of respect and mourning for the lives lost.
- Indefinite Suspension of “Another Side of Life” Film: The production of “Another Side of Life” is halted until further notice as part of the precautionary measures taken by the guild.
- Restriction on Working with Adamma Luke: Actors are prohibited from working with Adamma Luke as a producer until further directives are issued. This step is part of the ongoing investigation and safety considerations.
