Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Anambra State Police Command has issued a fresh flood safety alert to parents, guardians, schools and motorists following the death of a school pupil who was swept away by floodwaters in Awka South Local Government Area.
The warning comes after the body of six-year-old Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Awka, was recovered following a flood incident along the Nibo–Isiagu Road.
The incident occurred after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in parts of Anambra State, leaving a school bus carrying pupils and other occupants trapped in rapidly moving water. Nine people, including seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued, while Success was carried away by the floodwaters.
Police warn parents and schools
The police command said the latest alert was intended to reinforce the need for heightened vigilance during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said parents, guardians, school authorities and caregivers should take necessary precautions to protect children from flooded roads, bridges and waterways.
The command had previously advised parents and guardians to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes.
The warning is particularly significant for schoolchildren who travel through areas where heavy rainfall can cause roads and drainage channels to become dangerous within a short period.
How the pupil was swept away
The incident occurred along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South during heavy rainfall.
According to reports from the police and other credible sources, a vehicle conveying schoolchildren became trapped in the floodwaters.
Police Safe School operatives, working with members of the local community, responded to the emergency and rescued seven pupils and two adults.
The rescued victims were taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, for medical attention.
Success remained missing after the rescue operation, prompting an expanded search involving police officers and community members.
His body was subsequently recovered, bringing the search to a tragic conclusion. The recovery was also confirmed by the chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Chinedu Okafor.
Heavy rainfall causes disruption in Anambra
The incident occurred amid significant flooding following persistent rainfall across parts of Anambra.
The flooding affected roads and other public areas, with reports also emerging of damage to buildings and walls in parts of Awka.
The Anambra State Government had earlier reported that emergency personnel were responding to the flooding and searching for the missing pupil while urging residents in flood-prone locations to remain vigilant and avoid moving through fast-moving floodwaters.
The flooding has highlighted the risks faced by residents when intense rainfall overwhelms roads and drainage systems, particularly around routes used by schoolchildren and motorists.
Nine people rescued
The police said its Safe School Operatives responded after receiving information about the emergency.
Seven schoolchildren and two adults were successfully brought to safety with assistance from residents in the affected community.
The police operation formed part of the command’s wider Safe School Initiative, through which security personnel work to protect pupils and respond to emergencies affecting schools and schoolchildren.
The successful rescue of the nine occupants prevented a larger loss of life, although the death of Success has raised renewed concerns about the dangers posed by flooding to children travelling to and from school.
Authorities urge caution during rainfall
The police have urged parents and guardians to exercise greater caution whenever severe rainfall creates flooding around routes used by children.
Schools and motorists have also been advised to avoid flooded roads and waterways rather than attempting to pass through areas where the depth and speed of the water cannot be safely determined.
For parents, the warning means paying close attention to weather conditions and transportation routes during periods of intense rainfall.
Floodwater can rise rapidly and may conceal damaged roads, open drainage channels, debris and other hazards.
Wider concerns over flood safety
The death has underscored the importance of emergency preparedness and flood-risk management in communities affected by seasonal heavy rainfall.
The incident also demonstrates the particular vulnerability of children, who may be unable to assess the danger posed by rapidly moving water or make independent decisions about whether a flooded route is safe.
The Anambra authorities have continued to urge residents to remain alert as rainfall persists.
For schools and families, the police warning places particular emphasis on preventing children from being exposed to dangerous flooded routes in the first place, rather than relying solely on rescue operations after an incident occurs.
What happens next
The Anambra State Police Command is expected to continue working with communities and relevant authorities on emergency responses and measures under its Safe School Initiative.
Parents, guardians, schools and motorists have been urged to follow safety instructions during heavy rainfall and to report dangerous flooding or emergencies to the relevant authorities.
The death of Success Ezenwafor has also prompted condolences from officials and members of the community, while attention remains focused on preventing similar incidents involving schoolchildren during future periods of severe rainfall.
The immediate priority for residents in flood-prone areas remains avoiding unnecessary exposure to moving water and ensuring that children are kept away from flooded roads, bridges and waterways.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Anambra State Government — rescue operation and flood safety information.
- The Punch — police rescue operation and recovery of the missing pupil.
- The Guardian — details of the flood incident and recovery of Success Ezenwafor.
- Premium Times — confirmation of the pupil’s death.
