Anambra Police Issue Flood Alert to Parents After School Pupil’s Death

The Anambra State Police Command has warned parents, guardians and caregivers to take extra precautions during heavy rainfall and flooding following the death of a six-year-old school pupil who was swept away by floodwaters in Awka South Local Government Area. The warning came after a school bus carrying pupils became trapped by floodwaters along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South during heavy rainfall. The incident initially left one pupil missing while seven other schoolchildren and two adults were rescued by police operatives and local residents. The missing child, identified as Success Ezenwafor, was later found dead after a search operation. In its latest alert, the police command urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure that children do not travel through flooded roads, bridges, drainage channels or waterways when conditions become dangerous. The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the warning followed persistent rainfall and flooding across parts of Anambra State and the tragic death of the pupil. Six-year-old pupil swept away Success Ezenwafor was a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School in Awka. He was travelling with other schoolchildren when the vehicle became trapped by floodwater along the Nibo–Isiagu route. According to earlier police accounts, operatives attached to the command’s Safe School initiative mobilised after receiving information about the incident. Working with members of the community, the officers rescued seven schoolchildren and two adults and moved them to safety. One child, however, could not immediately be accounted for, prompting a search operation. The search continued through the following day before the body of Success was recovered. The Awka South Local Government Area chairman, Prince Chinedu Okafor, subsequently confirmed the recovery and said the other children rescued from the vehicle were stable and receiving treatment at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka. The recovery brought an end to the search but heightened concerns about the risks faced by schoolchildren travelling during periods of severe rainfall. Police warn parents and motorists Following the incident, the police command renewed its warning to parents, school authorities and motorists about the dangers of attempting to use flooded routes. The command urged adults responsible for children to assess road conditions carefully during heavy rainfall and prevent children from attempting to cross flooded roads or waterways. The warning also applies to motorists transporting pupils, particularly where floodwater has covered roads or made the depth and condition of the route difficult to determine. Earlier, during the rescue operation, the police commissioner had directed that the search for the missing pupil be sustained and expanded until the child was found. The command also called on residents living or operating around affected areas to provide information that could assist emergency responders during flooding incidents. Parents keep children away from dangerous routes The police warning comes amid continuing rainfall and flooding concerns in parts of Anambra. Reports following the pupil’s death indicated that some parents in Awka kept their children at home because of concerns over the safety of school routes after heavy rainfall. The state government has also urged residents to take greater responsibility for flood prevention and safety. Governor Chukwuma Soludo expressed condolences to the Ezenwafor family and called on residents to take measures that could reduce flooding risks, including keeping drainage systems clear and avoiding activities that obstruct the movement of rainwater. The governor also urged residents to take immediate action when flooding begins and to avoid exposing themselves and their families to unnecessary risks. Wider flood risks remain The Anambra incident is occurring against the backdrop of broader flood concerns across Nigeria. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has issued flood-risk warnings covering vulnerable communities in several states, with schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other public locations among the areas exposed in some locations. In Anambra, the recent school-bus incident has placed particular attention on the safety of children travelling during heavy rainfall. For parents and guardians, the police warning is a reminder that familiar routes can become dangerous within a short period when floodwater rises. Authorities have therefore urged families to monitor weather conditions, avoid flooded roads and waterways, and make alternative arrangements for children whenever travelling conditions become unsafe. The police command has also reiterated its commitment to protecting schoolchildren through its Safe School operations and cooperation with communities and other relevant agencies. The death of Success Ezenwafor has consequently prompted renewed calls for vigilance from parents, schools, motorists and residents as rainfall continues across parts of Anambra. While the authorities continue to respond to flooding incidents, officials are urging residents to prioritise immediate safety whenever roads, bridges and waterways become affected by rising water.