Seven schoolchildren and two adults have been rescued after a flood swept through the Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, while one child remains missing.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following heavy rainfall that caused flooding in parts of Awka and surrounding communities.
The Anambra State Police Command said its Safe School Operatives, working with members of the affected community, responded after receiving information about people trapped by the flood.
According to the police, the rescue team successfully moved seven schoolchildren and two adults to safety. However, one additional child involved in the incident remained unaccounted for, prompting the command to activate a sustained search-and-rescue operation.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, directed that the search be sustained and expanded until the missing child is found.
The police said the operation is being conducted in collaboration with community members and other relevant stakeholders, while residents around the affected route have been urged to provide any information that could assist in locating the child.
Heavy rainfall triggers flooding
The flooding followed persistent rainfall across parts of Anambra between Monday, September 21, and Tuesday, September 22.
The state government had earlier reported that emergency responders were deployed to the Ring Road axis of Nibo in Awka South after a school bus became trapped by rising floodwaters.
The initial government account said six schoolchildren and a shuttle driver had been rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention, while emergency personnel continued searching for another pupil reportedly swept away by the floodwaters.
The subsequent police update provided a broader account of the rescue operation, reporting that nine people — seven schoolchildren and two adults — had been rescued.
Police warn motorists and parents
The Police Command has urged parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges and waterways during periods of heavy rainfall.
Parents and guardians were specifically advised to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded or otherwise dangerous routes.
The command said it would continue working with communities and relevant agencies under the Safe School Initiative to improve the protection of schoolchildren during emergencies.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over flood risks in Anambra. The National Emergency Management Agency had previously advised residents, particularly those in riverine and flood-prone communities, to remain vigilant and be prepared to move to safer, higher ground as water levels rise.
As of the latest police update, the search for the missing child was still ongoing.