A devastating flood disaster struck Awka, the capital of Anambra State, on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Success Ezenwafor. The tragedy occurred when a school shuttle bus conveying Ezenwafor and other pupils was swept away by surging floodwaters during a heavy downpour. The bus became trapped and overturned along the Awka–Nibo–Nise–Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road axis, leaving the occupants at the mercy of the rapidly rising floodwaters.
Nine occupants, comprising seven pupils and two adults, were rescued from the scene by a combined effort involving emergency personnel, security operatives, and residents. They were subsequently taken to Amaku Teaching Hospital for medical attention. The rescue efforts were prompt, but Ezenwafor was swept away by the floodwaters during the incident. His disappearance prompted a search operation that continued until his body was recovered on Tuesday.
According to a family source, Ezenwafor reportedly broke one of the bus windows to create an escape route for other children before he was swept away. This heroic act has turned the tragedy into a painful account of a child’s final effort to help his schoolmates. The family source also revealed that two other children from the Ezenwafor family were in the vehicle but survived the incident.
The chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, confirmed the recovery of Ezenwafor’s body. He stated that the other children are in stable condition and receiving medical treatment at the hospital. Okafor was at Amaku Teaching Hospital at the time of the confirmation. The local government chairman’s presence at the hospital underscored the seriousness with which the authorities were handling the incident.
The flood disaster in Awka has raised concerns about the vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure to heavy rainfall. The incident occurred along the Awka–Nibo–Nise–Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road axis, an area prone to flooding during heavy downpours. The tragedy has highlighted the need for improved drainage systems and flood mitigation measures in the city to prevent such incidents in the future.
Ezenwafor’s death has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School. The school has not commented on the incident, but it is expected to take measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The university’s primary school is located in a flood-prone area, and the incident has raised questions about the school’s preparedness for emergencies.
The incident has also sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including human rights activists and environmental experts. They have called for improved infrastructure and emergency response systems to mitigate the impact of flooding in Nigerian cities. The incident has also highlighted the need for increased awareness and education on flood safety and emergency preparedness.
Key points
- Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, died after a school shuttle bus was swept away by floodwaters during a heavy downpour in Awka, Anambra State.
