SIX children were rescued by emergency responders and taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku Awka for medical attention, following the flooding triggered by the heavy downpour around Ring Road, Agu Awka, Anambra State.
The body of six-year-old Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of UNIZIK Primary School, who was swept away by floodwater on Tuesday and declared missing was later recovered by the efforts of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who coordinated rescue and response operations.
Online videos showed floodwater overwhelming part of the area, causing an emergency as students were seen trapped in a school bus, a woman holding on to a tree, having been washed into a flooded area, and movement completely disrupted.
Success was swept away when a school bus conveying him and other occupants was trapped and overturned by floodwater along the Nibo-Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Council.
Nine other occupants of the vehicle, seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with residents, and taken to hospital for treatment.
Success remained missing until his body was recovered on Wednesday morning during a search operation by the Police and community members.
His remains were subsequently deposited at the mortuary.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said on Tuesday that the search for the missing pupil was being conducted in collaboration with community members and other relevant stakeholders.
By Wednesday, Chairman of Awka South Local Government, Chinedu Okafor, who led the rescue operation, confirmed the recovery of Success’ body.
Okafor said Success’ father, while recalling the boy’s final moments before he left home for school on Tuesday, said: “Success kissed his father on both cheeks, said goodbye and boarded the shuttle bus for school. Tragically, he never returned home.
“Two other children from the family who were also involved in the incident were fortunately rescued.
“The family member described Success as a brave boy. According to him, 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 Ezenwafor family, in a statement, described the incident as a painful loss, saying: “With total submission to God, we announce that our little son, Success Ezenwafor, has joined the church triumphant.”
