Family of Abigail Frederick, the make-up artiste that was killed in a boat accident alongside John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope with the support of Akwa Ibom state government has exhumed the body of the deceased actress on Sunday and the actress reburied on Monday in Akwa State.

A video made available online showed where Abigail body was exhumed, three graves with candle lights were seen, indicating three persons were buried on the shoreline of the Anam river over alleged family inability to afford the cost to perform rituals for the bodies to be taken out for decent and proper burial.

The late Nollywood makeup artist, Abigail Fredrick,  who was 24 years old, was laid to rest in her hometown in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday.

Abigail died alongside five other  film makers when their boat capsized on the River Niger last Wednesday after the boat rammed into a fisherman’s canoe with the boat driver not noticing the wooden non engine boat on time, according to survivors testimonies.

Abigail was declared missing on Wednesday and her body was later found on Thursday night. Shortly after her body was found, reports filtered in that her body was buried alongside another artiste that was found same time following their parents inability to afford the money demanded by the community to perform rituals before the remains can be taken out for proper burial. The body of the last person was found on Friday morning after the river thrown him out to the riverbank.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, after he had heard of the reports and learnt that Abigail was from Akwa Ibom State, instructed that her body be returned to the state for a proper burial.

Following the governor’s directive, her body was exhumed on Sunday, April 14, 2024 with video showing the deceased father and other persons at the river Niger shoreline with white coffin and a hearse.

A candle-light procession was reportedly held in her honour with photographs posted online showing group of people putting on black shirts with candles lit on their hands.

“The funeral service was conducted by the Church of Christ, Ikot Udoma, and was attended by various dignitaries, including the Eket Transition Committee Chairman, Akaniyene Tommey; Commissioner for Tourism, Charles Udoh; S.A on Entertainment, Moses Eskor; Godfada Uko, members of the Eket Transition Committee, Nollywood actress, Eve Esin, the Nollywood community, friends, and sympathisers”, Ubong David said via his facebook page on Monday.

Before and after her body was exhumed for proper burial in Akwa Ibom state, the state Government issued some press releases that reads in quote below:

Remains Of Late Nollywood Make-up Artist Arrive Akwa Ibom For Interment

Following the condolence visit to the family of the late Nollywood make- up artist, Abigail Edith Frederick by His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, over the weekend, where he promised to help facilitate the return of the remains of the late make- up artist, her body has been successfully brought back home for a proper burial later today, by the family.

Governor Eno, had during the visit to the family in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area, offered automatic employment to the elder sister of the late Theatre Arts graduate, promised assistance to her two undergraduate sisters, and approved the remodeling of her family house in Eket. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed: Ekerete Udoh, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, April 15, 2024.

Remains Of Late Akwa Ibom Born Nollywood Artiste To Be Brought Home

His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Governor, Akwa Ibom State, is aware of the tragic boat mishap, which occurred a few days ago, on River Niger, involving some Nollywood actors and other supporting crew members while on a trip to a movie location.

One of the victims of that accident, Abigael Edith Frederick, was a quintessential example of our young people who have harkened to our clarion call for them to Arise and shine.
She was a 24 years old graduate of Theatre Arts, who had found her passion as a make- up artiste.

We are deeply saddened by her painful passing and on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, we sympathize with her family, the Nollywood community and her friends and colleagues over this sad loss.

We have also followed and read the reportage, especially on the social media platforms surrounding her burial and wish to state categorically that, government was not informed of the circumstances that led to her burial.

His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, has consequently directed that her body be brought back to her family for a proper and decent burial.

As the famous theme song of the Liverpool Football Club goes, the bereaved family will not “walk alone”. May her soul rest in peace.

Signed: Ekerete Udoh, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, April 13, 2024.