A pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, has died after being swept away by floodwaters during a heavy downpour in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the deceased, identified as Success Ezenwafor, was travelling with other schoolchildren in a shuttle bus when floodwaters overtook the vehicle along the Awka-Nibo-Nise-Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road in Awka South Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Ezenwafor was declared missing after the incident, prompting a search operation led by Chinedu Okafor, mayor of Awka South LGA. His body was recovered on Tuesday as rescuers continued their efforts.
Okafor confirmed that the other children involved in the incident survived and were receiving medical treatment.
“The body of the missing child, Success Ezenwafor, has been recovered. The other children are in stable condition and receiving medical treatment at the hospital. I am at Amaku Teaching Hospital at the moment,” he said.
Reports said two other children from Ezenwafor’s family were also involved in the incident but were rescued.
A family member described the deceased as a brave boy, saying he helped other children escape from the vehicle before he was swept away.
“Success broke one of the vehicle’s windows, creating an escape route through which others were able to get out. Sadly, he could not make it to safety himself,” the family member said.
The police had earlier said Safe School Operatives, working with members of the community, rescued seven schoolchildren and two adults from the flooded area and moved them to safety.
The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall that caused flooding across parts of Awka, leaving several roads and vehicles submerged.
Following the incident, authorities urged residents to exercise caution during heavy rainfall and avoid flood-prone areas.
Okafor advised residents against taking unnecessary risks when roads are flooded, while the wife of Anambra Governor, Nonye Soludo, separately called on people living in flood-prone communities to relocate to safer areas where necessary and heed flood warnings.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over the dangers posed by flooding to commuters and schoolchildren in Anambra, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
