Nigerian Nollywood producer Adanma Luke, whose movie resulted in the deaths of Junior Pope and five others, has denied claims of abandoning the deceased.
In a statement on her Instagram page, she explained that she felt compelled to speak out due to false accusations against her. She clarified that since the tragic incident, she has been actively working with the families to provide financial support as requested by the gravediggers and fuel for the police officers involved in the search for the bodies.
She stated that each crew member’s family received agreed-upon amounts, and some chose to have their loved ones buried by the water, as they believed that those who die by drowning should be laid to rest near water.
Furthermore, she and her team have organized the transportation of an ambulance from Asaba to the homes of Precious and Friday. Adanma Luke emphasized that she is a human being and not heartless, and has taken steps to assist the deceased.
“It has become necessary for me to make a statement because of the false allegations being made against me.
Since the tragic loss of Junior Pope, Abigail, Precious, Friday, and Olanti, my team and I have been actively collaborating with the families to provide necessary funds as requested, from the gravediggers to the divers and fuel for the police officers involved in the search for the bodies.
This also includes expenses for caskets, ambulances, and additional funds to cover other related ones.
Each crew member’s family received agreed amounts and some decided to have their loved ones buried by the waterside as they believe that those who die by drowning should be laid to rest near water.
This ritual involved invoking the spirit into a casket lined with a plantain leaf, which was then sent to the family for burial. I have video evidence of their agreement to these arrangements.
Additionally, my team and I arranged the departure of the ambulance from Asaba to the homes of Precious and Friday.
As a result of this, my team and I will be sharing details and video proof of everything that has happened since this tragedy. In this time of a huge kiss and mourning for these families, the allegations that I have not taken any action are complete lies. My team and I remain in communication with the police and members of the families who have lost their loved ones”.
“I’m human and can’t be that heartless to not do anything so they can rest in peace”.
Remember that the tragic death of Junior Pope had a profound impact on the Nollywood industry, as five other crew members also lost their lives in the same way.
According to reports, the actor died from drowning while filming on the river, without following safety procedures. The movie producer, Adanma Luke, has faced severe criticism from Nigerians for her alleged negligence that resulted in the death of the Nollywood artists.
In her first public statement, she clarified that, contrary to reports, she had provided life jackets for the crew. She expressed that the unfortunate incident still feels unreal to her, and she wishes she could wake up from it.
She shared that she has been deeply traumatized by the incident and blames herself for returning to Asaba, as she was supposed to be on that boat with them, along with her brother’s two children.
