A heavy downpour in Awka, the Anambra State capital, turned tragic on Tuesday after floodwaters swept away a school shuttle bus, claiming the life of a young pupil who died while attempting to save his classmates.
Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School, met his untimely death along the Awka-Nibo-Nise-Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road in Awka South Local Government Area. His body was recovered Tuesday evening following an extensive search operation.
Family members and local officials revealed that the young boy acted heroically in his final moments. Trapped inside the rapidly submerging vehicle alongside his two siblings and several other children, Success managed to smash one of the bus windows, creating an escape route that allowed others to scramble to safety. Tragically, he was swept away by the fierce current before he could get out himself.
Former Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Dr. Uche Nworah, confirmed the development on Wednesday, citing updates from the Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Chinedu Okafor, who joined the rescue operations.
“The body of the missing child, Success Ezenwafor, has been recovered,” Okafor stated from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku. “The other children were rescued, are in stable condition, and are currently receiving medical attention.”
The tragedy has left the Ezenwafor family devastated. Recounting his final moments with his son, the boy’s father recalled how Success kissed him on both cheeks and bade him goodbye before boarding the school shuttle on Tuesday morning. He never made it back home.
The incident has sparked renewed concern among Awka residents over the recurring menace of flash floods along major roads in the state capital, with many calling on authorities to urgently address poor drainage systems to prevent further loss of life.
