By Sunny A. David, Awka
A six-year-old pupil of UNIZIK Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, who was swept away by floodwaters along the Nibo–Isiagu Road on Tuesday, has been found dead.
The deceased, identified as Success Ezenwafor, was on his way to school when the bus conveying him and other occupants became trapped by floodwaters.
Nine other occupants of the vehicle, comprising seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued alive by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, with assistance from residents.
The rescued victims were taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
Success, however, was carried away by the floodwaters and remained missing until his body was recovered on Wednesday morning.
In a statement announcing his death, the family described the incident as a painful loss and said arrangements were being made to transfer his remains from Amaku to their hometown, Ula, Ekwulobia.
The family said, “Every other occupant of the vehicle was rescued and taken to Amaku where they are recovering well except for Success, whom the flood carried away.
“With total submission to God, we announce that our little son, Success Ezenwafor, has joined the Church triumphant.”
Earlier, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that operatives attached to the Command’s Safe School Initiative rescued nine people following a distress call over the flood incident.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, directed that the search for the missing pupil be expanded and urged residents with useful information to assist the operation.
The police also advised parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution when approaching flooded roads, bridges and waterways, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
The death of the young pupil has heightened concerns over the dangers posed by flooding in Awka and other parts of Anambra State.
