Nollywood actor Junior Pope dies in boat accident

Nollywood actor Junior Pope. [Instagram]

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope through a tragic boat accident during a film shoot.

Junior Pope and three others lost their lives when their boat capsized in Anam River, Nigeria.

AGN's president Emeka Rollas Ejezie also confirmed the news on his socials, saying his first post about survivors of the accident was misleading.

"It's so so sad that our joy was shortlived. My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail. God knows the best.

"We finally lost him. Mr Friday corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found," he wrote.

Following the accident, AGN has announced the suspension of all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding.

Further, there will be no filming across Nigeria today (Thursday, April 11, 2024) and the film the deceased was shooting, Another side of Life, has been suspended indefinitely.

Prior to the accident, the actor had posted a video of himself on a boat heading to the shoot and was heard expressing concerns about the safety of the boat and the speed they were moving at.

"The risks we take to entertain you. I am begging the captain that I am the only child and I have three boys to raise.

"Abeg take us slower," he said in the video.

Here is the video: