Junior Pope’s Demise Gets Fresh Twist as FG Finally Shares Real Cause of Death: “It Was Not Boat”
- NIWA stated Junior Pope’s tragic boat accident wasn’t due to engine failure or bad weather, but pure human negligence
- According to new findings, key safety protocols were ignored before the fatal trip, raising fresh questions about accountability on Nigeria’s waterways
- The latest report from NIWA left fans heartbroken all over again, as it suggests the popular actor’s life might have been saved if simple safety rules were followed
- Social commentator Sam Dede stated that NIWA's report on the Junior Pope's death should spark a reform in Nollywood
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A year after the tragic boat mishap that claimed the lives of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and four others, new details have surfaced about what really went wrong that day.
The National Inland Waterways Authority has released its findings about the boat mishap.
Junior Pope, who was on his way back from a movie shoot titled Another Side of Life, died in the incident in April 2024. The boat reportedly capsized near Cable Point at the River Niger in Asaba, Delta State.
Legit.ng recalled that the late actor's son recently graduated, and the widow penned a special tribute to him on the occasion.
Source: Instagram
“It was not the boat” – NIWA says
Speaking at a multi-modal transportation forum in Abuja, NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, said the accident was not caused by a mechanical fault, rough weather, or obstacles in the water. Instead, he placed the blame on human negligence, reports Daily Post.
The news of his death shocked Nollywood fans and left many grieving. Now, the idea that it could have been avoided if safety precautions had been followed has left many both sad and frustrated.
According to Oyebamiji, some of the passengers on the boat, including those who sadly didn’t make it, refused to wear life jackets that were made available before the journey.
Oyebamiji stated:
“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.”
Was Junior Pope's death an avoidable loss?
The revelation has reignited public conversation about safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways and why so many tragedies appear to repeat themselves.
NIWA’s MD used the opportunity to urge Nigerians to take water safety more seriously and to always comply with laid-down guidelines.
He emphasised that boat operators and passengers must support NIWA’s efforts to ensure safe travel across the country’s rivers and waterways.
Source: Instagram
Reactions trail report of Waterways Authority on cause of Junior Pope's death
Nigerians on social media have reacted to the report on the cause of the death of Junior Pope as submitted by the National Inland Waterways Authority.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, many fans of the late actor and father of three boys are concerned about the cause of the boat capsizing while on his way from a movie set.
Legit.ng gathered some reactions below:
@adisa_oluga raised a point:
"Car needs to hit a barrier to appreciate the seat belt. So why would a car in motion on a straight line hit a barrier? What makes the boat capsize?"
@thedavidDolapo queried:
"Who is the human? Who is taking responsibility? Why is that life doesn’t matter?"
@chiddility said:
"😆 for how many years? Honestly, any death investigation in Nigeria is zero"
@kathy0603737211 sighed:
"Yeye people"
Junior Pope died in a boat accident on the River Niger in Anambra state while travelling to Asaba to shoot a movie. Three crew members also lost their lives in the incident.
NIWA's report is a call for action - Dede
Social commentator Sam Dede stated that NIWA's report on the Junior Pope's death should spark a reform in Nollywood
He stated:
“The confirmation that Junior Pope’s death was due to human negligence—not mechanical failure—is a painful reminder of how safety culture is still treated casually in Nigeria. Until we begin to value lives over convenience, tragedies like this will remain recurring headlines.”
Read also
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Junior Pope: Boat mishap survivor speaks
Legit.ng earlier reported that a survivor of the ill-fated boat alleged that the true circumstances surrounding the incident were not disclosed.
In a video shared on Instagram, Abraham Gift Johnson, who claimed to have been on board, revealed that he had been too traumatised to speak out about the incident until now.
According to Johnson, the accounts shared by others in the aftermath of the tragedy were likely fabricated, as the shock and trauma of the experience would have rendered it impossible for those involved to provide the actual testimony.
Sola Sanusi, HOD of the Entertainment Desk, contributed to this article. She gathered netizens' reactions to the report of the National Inland Waterways Authority on the cause of Junior Pope and others' deaths.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
