LAGOS,Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the tragic boat incident that claimed the lives of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and several others.
The mishap occurred on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, when the boat carrying Pope and the film crew collided with a canoe on the Anam River in Anambra State.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, the NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation.
The objective is to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the accident, identify contributing factors, and propose preventive measures to avert similar tragedies in the future.
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The NSIB aims to uncover crucial insights that will assist in ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals involved in water-based activities.
The statement quoted the NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Badeh, as saying “The investigation scope includes, but is not limited to, examination of the wreckage from both vessels involved in the collision, interviews with surviving crew members and eyewitnesses, review of operational procedures for the commercial speed boat, analysis of weather and environmental conditions at the time of the accident, and assessment of compliance with relevant safety standards and regulations for inland waterway transportation.”
The statement said the NSIB will work with the Anambra State Police Command’s Marine Police section, maritime authorities, and industry experts in its investigation.
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“The NSIB extends its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking accident.”
“We share in your grief and are fully committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this tragedy and prevent similar occurrences in the future,” Badeh said.