Police in Anambra State have rescued seven schoolchildren and two adults after their school bus became trapped in floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall, while one child remains missing.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the schoolchildren and adults travelled along the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka, Anambra State.
Spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement that Safe School operatives, working with concerned members of the community, swiftly mobilised to the scene after receiving information about the incident.
The joint intervention resulted in the rescue of nine people — seven schoolchildren and two adults — from the floodwaters.
However, one child involved in the incident remained unaccounted for following the rescue, prompting the police to activate a sustained search and rescue operation in the area.
Ikenga said the operation was being conducted in collaboration with community members and relevant stakeholders in an effort to locate the missing child.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has directed that the search operation be sustained and expanded,” Ikenga said.
“He also appealed to residents, 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 also 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 advised to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes,” Ikenga said.
He added that the command remained committed to protecting schoolchildren and would continue strengthening collaboration with communities and relevant agencies under the Safe School Initiative to prevent avoidable loss of life during emergencies.
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
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