ANAMBRA FLOOD: PUPIL MISSING AS POLICE RESCUE NINE

A schoolchild is missing after floodwaters swept through part of the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday following heavy rainfall across parts of the state.

Nine people, including seven schoolchildren and two adults, were rescued after they became trapped by the flood while travelling along the affected route.

The Anambra State Police Command said its Safe School Operatives carried out the rescue in collaboration with members of the affected community.

The command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the operatives were quickly deployed after receiving information about the incident and successfully moved the nine victims to safety.

However, one other child involved in the incident remained missing as of Tuesday.

Ikenga said the police had activated sustained search and rescue operations to locate the missing pupil.

He added that the search was being carried out with the assistance of community members and other relevant stakeholders and would continue until the child was found.

The state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, directed that the search operation be sustained and expanded to cover the affected area.

Ama also appealed to residents living and working around the route to provide information that could assist the police and other emergency responders in locating the missing child.

The police commissioner urged parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution when using flooded roads, bridges and waterways during periods of heavy rainfall.

He particularly advised parents and guardians not to allow children to attempt crossing flooded or dangerous routes.

The command said it would continue working with communities and relevant agencies through the Safe School Initiative to reduce the risk of avoidable deaths and injuries during emergencies.