•Police rescue 9 others, 2 adults

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

One schoolchild was on Tuesday swept away by flood in Anambra State while seven others and two adults were rescued by the State Police Command.

The rescue came through the Command’s Safe School Operatives, in collaboration with concerned members of the community in Nibo–Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Area of Anambr State.

The seven rescued schoolchildren and two adults are safe, while a search operation is ongoing for the missing child.

A statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said 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.

He 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 statement added: "The Command has consequently activated sustained search and rescue operations in the affected area.

"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 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."

It advised parents and guardians to ensure that children do not attempt to cross flooded area or otherwise dangerous routes.

The Command further expressed its commitment 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.