Death Of Six-year-old In Flood Incident: NBM Demands National Child Safety Measures

Following the death of six-year-old Success Ezenwafor in a flood incident in Anambra State, the NBM of Africa Worldwide, a humanitarian organization has called for a nationwide review of measures to protect schoolchildren during extreme weather.

The organization said the tragedy, which claimed the life of a pupil of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Primary School, should serve as a wake-up call to governments, schools and transport operators on the need to put the safety of children ahead of routine movement during dangerous weather conditions.

In a condolence message, the President of NBM of Africa Worldwide, Dr Charles Chimezie, described Success’s death as a painful loss, while commiserating with his family, teachers, schoolmates and the government and people of Anambra State.

Success was reportedly swept away on Tuesday after the school bus conveying him and other occupants became trapped and overturned in floodwater along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area.

Nine other occupants – seven schoolchildren and two adults were rescued by police operatives and residents and taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, for treatment.

Success remained missing until his body was recovered the following morning during a search operation by the police and community members. His remains were subsequently deposited in a morgue.

Chimezie said the reported attempt by the child to save other children before he was swept away made the tragedy particularly painful, describing Success’s courage as a reminder of the vulnerability of children in emergencies.

He urged authorities to strengthen flood-control infrastructure, identify dangerous routes, establish clear protocols for school movement during heavy rainfall and ensure that school buses do not operate on unsafe roads.

The NBM president commended the police, residents and other rescuers for their intervention, while calling for a coordinated national approach to child safety, stressing that protecting children from preventable disasters must remain a shared responsibility of government, schools, families and communities.