Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has come under criticism after a school bus carrying children became trapped in floodwater along Nibo Ring Road in Awka South on Tuesday, with one child reportedly swept away and still missing.
The incident occurred after heavy rainfall submerged parts of the road, leaving a school bus and a shuttle van stranded. Seven children and two adults were reportedly rescued after youths from Isiagu and police school safety operatives used ropes to pull them from the flooded area.
Key Highlights
- Seven children and two adults were reportedly rescued from a flooded road in Awka South.
- A child identified as Success Ezenwafor was reportedly swept away and remained missing as of the latest update.
- The incident occurred along Nibo Ring Road following heavy rainfall.
- Community youths and police school safety operatives participated in the rescue effort.
- The incident has triggered criticism over flooding, roads and drainage infrastructure in Anambra.
- NiHSA had placed Anambra among 15 states facing high riverine flood risk from September 19 to 25.
Child Missing After Flood Incident
The missing child was identified as Success Ezenwafor, said to be a pupil of UNIZIK Primary School.
Police reportedly confirmed the rescue operation and said the search for the missing child had been expanded with the support of community members.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid flooded roads and to provide any information that could assist efforts to locate the missing child.
Read also:
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- NiHSA Warns Of 7-Day Flood Risk Across Delta, Imo, Cross River, 12 Other States
- NEMA begins massive flood sensitisation programme in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu
Soludo Faces Criticism Over Flooding
The incident has renewed criticism of the Anambra State Government, particularly over the condition of roads and drainage infrastructure in parts of the state.
Some residents and social media users have questioned the government’s preparedness for flooding and the state of infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
Several posts on X criticised Governor Soludo over the incident, with some users linking the flooding to broader concerns about road construction and drainage.
One user, identified as Stanley Nwoye, alleged that some roads constructed under the current administration had deteriorated after heavy rainfall. The allegation could not be independently verified.
Other social media users also criticised the governor over what they described as inadequate attention to road and drainage problems.
The criticisms represent views expressed on social media and do not by themselves establish responsibility for the flooding or the condition of specific roads.
NiHSA Had Warned of Flood Risk
The incident occurred days after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) issued a high flood risk alert covering 15 states, including Anambra, between September 19 and 25, 2026.
NiHSA said the advisory was based on rising river levels and the increased risk of riverine flooding. The affected states include Anambra, Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia.
According to the agency’s assessment, seven local government areas in Anambra, including Awka South, were identified among areas exposed to flood risks. The assessment listed communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, religious centres and farmland among the infrastructure and populations potentially exposed.
NiHSA urged state governments, local authorities and communities to take precautionary measures and advised residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer and higher ground where necessary.
The agency also warned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water, either on foot or in vehicles.
Search Continues for Missing Child
As the search for Success Ezenwafor continues, the incident has renewed attention on flood preparedness, drainage infrastructure and road safety in Anambra State.
Residents have been urged to exercise caution during heavy rainfall, particularly around flooded roads and other areas vulnerable to rising water levels.
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