The missing six-year old pupil who was swept  away by flood disaster around Nibo – Isiagu Ring Road has been found  dead, 24 hours after the tragedy.

The six-year-old pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University  Primary School, Awka, Anambra State, Success Ezenwafor  is a native of Ula Ekwunife, Aguata Local Government Council Area of the State.   
                                
He lost his life in a flood incident in which  nine other pupils were trapped in a bus and later swept away by the flood.   24 hours after the sad incident, there was no clue of his safety or misfortune.           

The tragedy followed a heavy downpour across the State two days ago which collapsed two buildings, pulled down 20 walls at Oguguo Nebe Road off the popular Miracle Junction around the University.                  

The Guardian has few day ago raised the alarm that the neglect of very important  link roads including Oguguo Nebe Road had negative impact on the development of the State.                        

A resident of Oguguo Nebe Avenue, Emmanuel Nnaemeka who parked his vehicle at Jesse Hotel for about three months due to the bad nature of  the road regretted that the abandoned and neglected route leads to the agrarian communities of Mgbakwu, Okpuno, Urum, Isuanaocha, Achala, .Amanuke, Ugbene, Ugbenu and Awba Ofemili communities in Awka North Local Government Council Area of the State enroute Anambra East and West Local Government Council Areas to Kogi State/ Abuja Federal Capital Territory .               

Nnaemeka further warned that if the State government failed to intervene, future rainfalls would block the drainage and worse the  deterioration of the Oguguo Nnebe Avenue, among others communities in the State capital.             

Two days after the warning, heavy downpour lasting from 1 am Monday to 3 pm of Tuesday,  the following day submerged roads, markets, schools, markets and other public and private places, preventing workers and traders to leave their homes.                

A  certain bus conveying  school pupils of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka was among the ones trapped at the Nibo – Isiagu Ring Road, Awka South Local Government Council Area of the State, leading to the sweeping away of one pupil and  rescuing of nine others by the police and other passersby .                

The name of the identified pupil who was later declared clinically dead was given as Success Ezenwafor.                      

It was gathered that she was on his way to school ong her  school mates when the bus conveying him and the other occupants of the vehicle got trapped by floodwaters.

Investigation by The Guardian revealed that the nine  other occupants of the vehicle, comprising seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued alive by operatives of the  State Police Command, with assistance from residents.

The rescued victims were taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

It was learnt that Success, however, was carried away by the floodwaters and never seen until  his body was recovered yesterday morning.

Announcing the death of Success, his family spokesperson  described the incident as a painful loss, disclosing  arrangements have been concluded to transfer his remains from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku Awka  Amaku the deceased’s hometown, Ula, Ekwulobia.

The statement revealed further: “”Every other occupant of the vehicle was rescued and taken to Amaku where they are recovering well except for Success, whom the flood carried away.

“With total submission to God, we announce that our little son, Success Ezenwafor, has joined the Church triumphant.”

Recall that the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,  SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that operatives attached to the Command’s Safe School Initiative rescued nine people following a distress call over the flood incident.

Ikenga in a statement observed that  the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed that the search for the missing pupil be expanded and urged residents with useful information to assist the operation.

The police also advised parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution when approaching flooded roads, bridges and waterways, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.