One schoolchild remains missing after a flood swept through the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, while seven other schoolchildren and two adults have been rescued.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following persistent rainfall that caused flooding in parts of the state between Monday and Tuesday.
The victims were reportedly travelling along the affected route when they were caught in the flood.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He said the Command’s Safe School Operatives responded after receiving information about the incident and mobilised to the area with members of the community.
According to him, the rescue team successfully brought nine people, comprising seven schoolchildren and two adults, to safety.
“However, one additional child involved in the incident is still unaccounted for,” Ikenga said.
He added that the police had commenced a sustained search and rescue operation for the missing child, in collaboration with community members and other relevant stakeholders.
Ikenga said the search would continue until the child was found and accounted for.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, has ordered that the search and rescue operation be sustained and expanded to cover the affected area.
Ama also appealed to residents, particularly those living or operating around the Nibo–Isiagu Road, to provide the police and other emergency responders with any information that could assist in locating the missing child.
The police commissioner further urged parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution when using flooded roads, bridges and waterways during periods of heavy rainfall.
The Command advised parents and guardians not to allow children to attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes.
The police said they would continue to strengthen collaboration with communities and relevant agencies through the Safe School Initiative to protect schoolchildren and minimise avoidable loss of life during emergencies.
