The body of Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of UNIZIK Primary School in Awka, Anambra State, has been recovered after he was swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday.
The recovery was announced on Wednesday by Dr. Uche Nworah, a former Special Adviser on General Duties to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Prof. Charles Anosike.
Nworah said Prince Chinedu Okafor, Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, confirmed that the missing child had been found.
Success was swept away on Tuesday morning while travelling in a shuttle bus with other schoolchildren along the Awka–Nibo–Nise–Enugwu-Ukwu Ring Road.
Nine people, including seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued following the flood incident along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka. However, Success remained unaccounted for, leading to a search operation involving security personnel, residents and other responders.
The Anambra State Police Command had earlier confirmed that one child was missing and directed that the search continue until the pupil was located.
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Nworah said two other children from the Ezenwafor family who were involved in the incident were rescued and were receiving treatment at the hospital.
He also recounted that Success had kissed his father on both cheeks and said goodbye before leaving home for school on Tuesday.
According to Nworah, the boy reportedly broke one of the windows of the vehicle, creating an opening that enabled some of the other occupants to escape.
However, Success could not make it to safety and was later found dead.
The recovery of his body has left the Ezenwafor family devastated as they mourn the loss of the young pupil.
The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of Awka and surrounding communities, with residents and emergency responders involved in rescue efforts.
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