By Karen James
In a devastating incident that occurred on Wednesday, 10th April 2024, a boat carrying a crew of actors on the River Niger met with a serious accident, leaving several individuals dead and others missing. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
The ill-fated boat was one of two vessels transporting the crew to a film location in the Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State. Tragically, as the boat was returning to Asaba, where it had departed from, it capsized, leading to several individuals being thrown into the river.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Anambra Command Marine Police immediately launched rescue operations. With their proactive efforts, they were able to save six actors and one actress from the water. Additionally, with the help of local fishermen, two unconscious individuals were also rescued and taken to the Delta State Command Marine Police Jetty, where they were then handed over to the President of the Actors Guild for transportation to the hospital. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article, three individuals still remain missing.
While the accident took place within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State Command, matters concerning the release of the victims’ bodies for proper funerals will be handled by the Delta State Police Command.
Commissioner CP Aderemi Adeoye expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families, friends, and fans of the actors who lost their lives in this tragic mishap. He sent his deepest prayers for the departed souls to rest in eternal peace.
Preliminary investigations into the cause of the accident have begun to shed light on the incident. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation to determine if any individual should be held criminally liable for the mishap. Information regarding the incident was provided by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
This accident serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers involved in water transportation and emphasizes the need for strict adherence to safety protocols. Authorities will undoubtedly continue their efforts to ensure the safety of citizens and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
