The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the tragic boat accident that occurred on the Anam River in Anambra State on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
According to a statement released by NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Bimbo Oladeji, the primary goal of the inquiry is to unravel the circumstances surrounding the accident, identify any contributing factors, and propose preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The incident, which resulted in the loss of five lives, including the well-known Nollywood actor Paul Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, has had a profound impact on the entire nation. Among the victims were Abigail Frederick, Precious Oforum, and Joseph Anointing.
The accident occurred when a speedboat carrying twelve film crew members and a boat operator collided with a canoe on the Anam River. NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh, stated that an investigation team has been dispatched to the accident site to begin the inquiry.
Captain Badeh outlined the scope of the investigation, which includes examining the wreckage of both vessels involved in the collision, interviewing surviving crew members and witnesses, reviewing operational procedures for the commercial speed boat, analyzing weather and environmental conditions at the time of the accident, and assessing compliance with relevant safety standards and regulations for inland waterway transportation.
The NSIB will work in collaboration with the Anambra State Police Command’s Marine Police section, maritime authorities, and industry experts to investigate the recent boat accident on the Anam River. The investigation is expected to generate both preliminary and final reports, with recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
Captain Badeh expressed the NSIB’s deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims, stating, “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.”
