Popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo otherwise known as Junior Pope has been confirmed dead by medical doctors.
Pope Odonwodo and four other actors reportedly drowned after his boat capsized in the Anam River while returning from a movie shoot, the other side of life produced by movie producer Adanna Luke.
Filmmaker Sam Olatunji broke the news of his death on Instagram.
The Delta State Chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emma Onyemeziem, also confirmed that the corpse had been deposited in the morgue.
Pope’s last social media post was a video of him and four others travelling to the movie location on a boat.In his video, the 39-year-old actor mentioned that he is an only child and has three children to raise.
His colleagues had taken to different social media platforms to mourn his shocking death.But reports emerged that the actor, who was said to have drowned hours ago, returned to life.
His dead body was said to have been rejected at the mortuary as the attendant said he was still alive.
Videos making rounds online showed the actor still breathing and being taken to the river shrine for rituals.
Actress, Uche Nnanna also confirmed the news as she stated that what God cannot do does not exist. She called for prayers for him as she revealed that he was still alive.
However, Producer Stanley Nwoke, who had been with the actor during the aftermath of the tragedy announced the demise of the actor.
He claimed that the physicians had confirmed the diagnosis.He shared the news on his Instagram page, stating that there was no uncertainty this time.
He bemoaned how events had unfolded, blaming the acts taken for the actor’s final death.
Confirming his death, the president actors guild of Nigeria Emeka Rollas, says the body of one other crew member has been found while those of three others are still missing.
Meanwhile, AGN has suspended all movies involving riverine areas and boat riding; bars actors from acting in any movie to be produced by Adanma Luke.