A Nollywood actor, TC Okafor, who is one of the survivors in a boat mishap that claimed the lives of his colleagues, including, John Paul Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, and three others, has revealed what transpired after the tragic incident, according to Sahara Reporters.
The thespians were reportedly drowned after their boat capsized on the River Niger while returning from shooting a movie produced by Adamma Luke.
Okafor, who gave a detailed account of what happened before and during the ill-fated journey while speaking in an Instagram Live session, also. disclosed the happenings that followed the accident, expressing disappointment at the attitude of the movie producer.
On what happened after he was rescued, Okafor disclosed that Adamma Luke ordered the police to arrest him because the boat driver lied that he (Okafor) stood in the boat and obstructed his view, resulting in the mishap.
He narrated:
“Then the policemen came and said they had to take me to Marine Extension in Onitsha by boat. I refused to enter a boat which God just saved my life and they said they have a life jacket for me.
“They had not seen Junior Pope when Adamma Luke asked the police to arrest me.”
The actor then expressed his frustration regarding what he has had to go through in the cause of the profession, even foreclosing his chances of continuing in it.
He vented:
“At this point, I want to officially say this, ‘I am no longer an actor. I have survived so many times. I know how many times I have survived because of this stupid business. How much are you people even paying me?
“I know how many times I have been given poison. I know how many times I have had car accidents because of Nollywood. You people cannot kill me. My head is too strong. I don’t want to be an actor. Let me focus on my comedy."
According to his narration, the accident happened because of the boat driver’s carelessness and inexperience. He said, while the team journeyed, Pope was making a video and the boat driver, who was wearing an earpiece, was adjusting himself to appear in the video and so didn’t notice an oncoming small fishing canoe until it was too late for him to maneuver past it. The resulting collision caused their boat to capsize.
Okafor said he was only saved because he clung to the boat’s anchor rope. He, along with other survivors, was rescued by boat drivers who witnessed the accident.