Anambra Flood: Seven Schoolchildren, Two Adults Rescued as One Child Remains Missing

Seven schoolchildren and two adults have been rescued after they were caught in a flood along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

However, one other schoolchild remains missing following the flooding caused by persistent rainfall in parts of the state between Monday, September 21, and Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga.

According to Ikenga, the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the schoolchildren and adults were travelling along the affected route and became trapped by floodwater.

He said the Command’s Safe School Operatives, working with concerned members of the community, quickly mobilised to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

“Upon receiving information about the incident, the ‘Safe School Operatives’ swiftly mobilised to the area and, working with members of the community, rescued seven school children and two adults, and moved them to safety,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson, however, disclosed that another child involved in the incident was still unaccounted for. He said sustained search and rescue operations had been activated in collaboration with community members and other relevant stakeholders.

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, directed that the search operation be sustained and expanded until the missing child is located.

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

The police commissioner urged parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges and waterways during periods of heavy rainfall. He also advised parents and guardians to prevent children from attempting to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes.

The Command said it would continue working with communities and relevant agencies through the Safe School Initiative to protect schoolchildren and reduce the risk of avoidable casualties during emergencies.