By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The body of six-year-old Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, who was swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday, has been recovered.
Ezenwafor was among schoolchildren and adults travelling along the Nibo–Isiagu Road, popularly known as the Ring Road, when their vehicle was overtaken by floodwaters following a heavy downpour across parts of Awka.
The Anambra State Police Command had on Tuesday confirmed that seven schoolchildren and two adults were rescued from the incident by its Safe School Operatives, working with members of the community, while one child remained missing and a search operation was launched.
The missing child was later identified as Ezenwafor, with Awka South Local Government Area Mayor, Prince Chinedu Okafor, confirming on Wednesday that his body had been recovered.
According to reports, Okafor, who was involved in the rescue efforts, said the other children and adults rescued from the incident were receiving medical attention at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, and were responding to treatment.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had earlier said the Safe School Operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene after receiving information about the incident and worked with community members to rescue the nine persons.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, had also directed that the search operation for the missing child be sustained and expanded, while urging residents around the affected route to provide information that could assist the rescue effort.
Reports described Success as a brave boy who reportedly broke one of the vehicle’s windows, creating an escape route through which some of the other occupants were able to get out before he was swept away.
The reports said the boy’s parents had declared him missing shortly after the incident, while two other children from the Ezenwafor family who were also involved in the incident were rescued.
The tragedy, which has continued to generate reactions on social media, has also attracted calls for residents, particularly parents, schoolchildren, motorists and commuters, to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads and waterways during heavy rainfall.
By way of advisory, the Anambra Police Command, and the Anambra State Government, in their separate reactions, strictly cautioned parents and guardians to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes, even the Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, similarly urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant, heed flood warnings and move to safer locations whenever necessary.
