A devastating flood incident occurred on the Awka-Nibo-Nise-Enugu-Ukwu Ring Road in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, resulting in the death of a six-year-old pupil, Success Ezenwafor. The incident happened after a heavy downpour on September 26, 2026. According to eyewitnesses, the floodwaters swept the pupil away while she was traveling to school with her parents and other children.
Chikwado Nwoye, a teacher and parent who was in the bus with her children, recounted the terrifying experience. She stated that they had offered special prayers inside the vehicle before embarking on the journey to school that fateful day. Nwoye said they were the first to pass through that road on that day and did not see a single vehicle until they got to the point of the flood.
The bus, carrying 10 people, including the driver and his two kids, got trapped in the middle of the flood. The driver struggled with the steering but eventually lost control, and the bus was tossed up and down. The passengers spent more than three hours in the raging flood, praying and praising God. The force of the flood was so strong that the bus started tilting and eventually tumbled close to a bushy area.
In the chaos, Success Ezenwafor hit her head on a cracked glass window and fell off the vehicle, getting swept away by the floodwaters. Her classmates and parents watched helplessly as she was carried away. Despite efforts to rescue her, Success' body was not found until the following morning, and her remains were later buried in her hometown.
The Anambra State Police Command confirmed that they received a distress call about the flood incident and deployed their Safe School Operatives to rescue nine victims. The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, ordered an expanded search operation for the missing pupil and urged residents to provide any useful information that could aid the rescue effort.
The police also advised parents, guardians, school authorities, and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges, and waterways, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. The incident has left the community in shock, and the family of Success Ezenwafor is still grieving her loss.
The father of the deceased, Engr Christian Ezenwafor, described Success as a boy of many parts who left indelible marks in the life of whoever crossed his path. He said she would be sorely missed by the entire family, the school, and the church. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of schools and roads in Anambra State, especially during the rainy season.
Key points
- A six-year-old pupil, Success Ezenwafor, was killed by floodwaters on the Awka-Nibo-Nise-Enugu-Ukwu Ring Road in Anambra State on September 26, 2026.
- The flood incident occurred after a heavy downpour, and the pupil was swept away while traveling to school with her parents and other children.
- The Anambra State Police Command deployed their Safe School Operatives to rescue nine victims and conducted a search operation for the missing pupil.
