I didn’t abandon Jnr. Pope, other bereaved families—Adanma Luke

Following the tragic boat mishap involving Nollywood actor Junior Pope and five other individuals on the set of her movie, Nollywood producer Adanma Luke has addressed false allegations circulating about her purported abandonment of the deceased and their families.

Taking to her official Instagram page, Adanma Luke emphasised the necessity of making a statement to set the record straight amidst what she described as baseless accusations.

She clarified that since the heartbreaking loss of Junior Pope, Abigail, Precious, Friday, and Olanti, she and her team have been actively engaged in collaborating with the families to extend support in various forms.

Adanma Luke asserted:”Since the tragic loss, 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.”

She further highlighted that the assistance encompassed expenses for caskets, ambulances, and additional funds to cover related costs.

The producer also shed light on the cultural beliefs of some of the families, mentioning that some opted to have their loved ones buried by the waterside, adhering to the belief that those who die by drowning should be laid to rest near water.

Adanma Luke ensured that the rituals were respectfully carried out, including invoking the spirits into the caskets lined with plantain leaves, as per the families’ wishes.

In addition to financial support, Adanma Luke noted that she and her team facilitated logistical arrangements, such as the departure of ambulances from Asaba to the homes of Precious and Friday, demonstrating their commitment to easing the burden on the affected families during this trying time.

Addressing the allegations head-on, Adanma Luke affirmed: “In this time of huge loss and mourning for these families, the allegations that I have not taken any action are complete lies.”

She reiterated her ongoing communication with the authorities and the bereaved families, emphasizing her humanity and compassion towards ensuring that the deceased can rest in peace.

As a testament to transparency and accountability, Adanma Luke announced her intention to share comprehensive details and video evidence of all actions taken since the tragic incident.