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A pupil of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School, Awka, Success Ezenwafor, has died after a school shuttle bus conveying pupils was caught in surging floodwaters during a heavy downpour in Awka, Anambra State.
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The bus reportedly became trapped and overturned along the Awka–Nibo–Nise–Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road axis, leaving the children and other occupants at the mercy of rapidly rising floodwaters before rescuers and residents intervened.
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Nine occupants, comprising seven pupils and two adults, were rescued and taken to Amaku Teaching Hospital for medical attention, while frantic efforts to locate Ezenwafor ended with the recovery of his body.
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A family source said the deceased pupil reportedly broke one of the bus windows to create an escape route for other children before he was swept away, turning the tragedy into a painful account of a child’s final effort to help his schoolmates.
September 24, (THEWILL) – A pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, Success Ezenwafor, has died after floodwaters swept away a school shuttle bus conveying him and other pupils during a heavy downpour in the state capital.
The tragedy occurred on Tuesday along the Awka–Nibo–Nise–Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road axis in Awka South Local Government Area, when the school bus was reportedly overwhelmed by rapidly rising floodwaters.
THEWILL gathered that the vehicle, which was conveying pupils to school, became trapped in the flood and overturned, leaving the occupants struggling to escape as the water surged around the bus.
Seven pupils and two adults were eventually 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.
Ezenwafor, however, was swept away by the floodwaters during the incident. His disappearance prompted a search operation that continued until his body was recovered on Tuesday.
The chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, confirmed the recovery of the pupil’s body.
“The body of the missing child, Success Ezenwafor, has been recovered. The other children are in stable condition and receiving medical treatment at the hospital. I am at Amaku Teaching Hospital at the moment”, Okafor was quoted as saying.
Pupil Reportedly Broke Bus Window To Free Others
A particularly painful account of the tragedy emerged from the Ezenwafor family, with a relative saying the young pupil reportedly helped create an escape route for some of the children trapped inside the vehicle.
According to the family account, Ezenwafor broke one of the bus windows, allowing some of the occupants to climb out of the vehicle.
“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”, former Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Uche Nworah, reported.
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Two other children from the Ezenwafor family were also reportedly in the vehicle but survived the incident.
According to Nworah, Ezenwafor’s parents reported him missing shortly after the heavy rainfall triggered flooding across parts of Awka on Tuesday.
His disappearance led to an intensive search involving rescue personnel, security operatives and residents of the affected area The search eventually yielded his body, which was recovered and taken to hospital.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
