The body of an Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School pupil, Success Ezenwafor, who was swept away by floodwaters during a heavy downpour in Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday, has been recovered.

Success was among pupils on a school bus that became trapped in surging floodwaters along the Nibo–Isiagu Road while they were being taken to school.

Emergency rescue operations involving security personnel and community members succeeded in rescuing seven pupils and two adults, who were subsequently taken to hospital for medical attention. Success, however, was swept away by the floodwaters.

Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, who confirmed the recovery of the boy’s body, said it had been taken to hospital.

He said: “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.”

A member of Success’ family, Dr Uche Nworah, recalled the emotional moment the boy said goodbye to his father before boarding the shuttle bus to school on Tuesday morning.

Nworah said Success kissed his father on both cheeks before leaving, unaware that it would be the last time they would see each other.

Another family source described Success as a brave boy, saying he reportedly broke one of the vehicle’s windows to create an escape route that enabled some of the other occupants to get out.

However, he was unable to make it to safety.

The boy’s death has left his family, classmates and the wider community devastated, with condolences pouring in following the tragedy.