One schoolchild was swept away on Tuesday, while seven other schoolchildren and two adults were rescued by the Anambra State Police Command through its Safe School Operatives, in collaboration with concerned members of the community, following a flood incident along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The seven rescued schoolchildren and two adults are safe, while a search operation is ongoing for the missing child.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when some schoolchildren and adults were caught in the flood while travelling along the affected route.
The statement said that upon receiving information about the incident, the Safe School Operatives swiftly mobilised to the area and, working in collaboration with members of the community, rescued seven schoolchildren and two adults and moved them to safety.
It, however, added that one other child involved in the incident remained unaccounted for.
The Command has consequently activated sustained search and rescue operations in the affected area.
According to the statement, the search operation is being conducted in collaboration with community members and other relevant stakeholders and will continue until the missing child is located and accounted for.
The statement further said the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, had directed that the search and rescue operation be sustained and expanded.
The Commissioner also urged residents of the area, particularly those living or operating around the affected route, to provide the police and other responding agencies with any information that could assist in locating the missing child.
The Command further urged parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges and waterways, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
“Parents and guardians are also advised to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes,” the statement added.
The statement noted that the Anambra State Police Command remained committed to the protection and safety of schoolchildren and would continue to strengthen collaboration with communities and relevant agencies under the Safe School Initiative to prevent avoidable loss of lives during emergencies.
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