Tochukwu Okafor, the actor fondly called TC Virus who is a survivor of the recent boat accident, has opened up about how he escaped the mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope.
Pope, the actor, died on Wednesday after he fell into the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state on his way to a movie location.
The film star was in the company of some other actors and crew members when the incident occurred.
A now-viral video showed shirtless TC Virus ringing a bell as their boat sped on the river.
Recalling his ordeal in an Instagram live session, TC Virus said before he embarked on the boat trip, he performed a ritual to honour the water spirits.
He also alleged that Adanma Luke, the filmmaker, ordered his arrest following a claim by the boat operator that he caused the mishap that led to Pope’s death.
While he escaped the mishap, some persons lost their lives.
During the live session, TC Virus said the “boat operator told Luke that he blocked his view during the trip”.
“Dem never even see Junior Pope that time. Na me even go Marine police station go report. When me and Shaun Israel came out. Na we rush go report for there because na there we park motor,” he spoke in pidgin English.
“Dem con dey sey why film people dey always do these things. Sey we don tell them sey anytime wey dem come make dem con rent jacket from our station… Sey but because of our (actors) stinginess. Sey we no dey even carry dem with some divers we go think sey we go fit make am alone.
“Me and Shaun con call my guy. As he con come instantly I tell am abeg carry me go back I wan go that marine. My mind no fit rest because this person was my colleague. As I dey talk am finish. The boy tell me sey the police are calling me. I told the boy any police officer who wants to see me should come to me. The next thing the policeman came and told me they had to take me to Onitsha, to the marine extension with boat. I told him with boat wey God just rescue my life.
“Na Adanma Luke tell them to arrest me that I caused the accident. That as I left the boat guy lied that I stood up from the boat that was why he could not see. As I am slim like this, how can I block your view? You are the pilot. They have not even seen Junior Pope when Adanma sey make dem arrest me. My guys were now shouting at the police and that was how we left the place. Before my chairman came and carried me to the hospital to do scan.”
On Thursday, the Anambra police command disclosed that seven persons were rescued while others were still missing.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) earlier suspended all movies involving riverine locations, following the death of Pope.
The association also warned that no one should work with Luke “until further notice”.
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