A devastating flood hit a section of the Nibo–Isiagu Road in the Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, leaving one schoolchild missing. The incident occurred on Tuesday following heavy rainfall across parts of the state. Nine persons, comprising seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued from the flooded route by the Anambra State Police Command’s Safe School Operatives and community members.
According to the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, the rescue operation was carried out swiftly after the command received information about the incident. The operatives successfully moved seven schoolchildren and two adults to safety. However, one child remained unaccounted for as of Tuesday, prompting the command to activate sustained search and rescue operations.
The search operation is being conducted in collaboration with community members and relevant stakeholders and will continue until the missing child is found. The Anambra State Police Command has assured that it will strengthen collaboration with communities and relevant agencies under the Safe School Initiative to prevent avoidable loss of lives during emergencies.
The state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, has directed that the search operation be sustained and expanded until the missing child is located. Ama also appealed to residents, particularly those living or operating around the affected route, to provide the police and other responding agencies with information that could assist in the search.
The Commissioner of Police urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges, and waterways during periods of heavy rainfall. He particularly advised parents and guardians to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes.
The incident highlights the need for residents to take precautionary measures during heavy rainfall. The Anambra State government has been urged to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of floods in the state. The police command has assured that it will continue to work with relevant agencies to prevent avoidable loss of lives during emergencies.
The Anambra State Police Command’s Safe School Operatives will continue to play a critical role in ensuring the safety of schoolchildren during emergencies. The command has assured that it will do everything possible to find the missing child and provide support to the affected families.
Key points
- One schoolchild is missing after a flood swept through a section of the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Anambra State.
- Nine persons, comprising seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued from the flooded route.
- The police command has activated sustained search and rescue operations to find the missing child.
