The Anambra State Police Command has rescued seven schoolchildren and two adults after they were caught in a flood along the Nibo-Isiagu Road in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday following persistent rainfall that caused flooding in parts of the state.

The Police Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the affected schoolchildren and adults were travelling along the route when they were caught in the flood.

He said the Command’s Safe School Operatives swiftly mobilised to the area after receiving information about the incident and, in collaboration with concerned community members, rescued nine people and moved them to safety.

However, one additional child involved in the incident remained unaccounted for.

Ikenga said the Command had activated sustained search and rescue operations in collaboration with community members and relevant stakeholders to locate the missing child.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Nnanna Ama, directed that the search operation be sustained and expanded until the missing child was located.

He also appealed to residents around the affected route to provide the Police and other emergency responders with any information that could assist the search.

The Command urged parents, guardians, school authorities and motorists to exercise extreme caution around flooded roads, bridges and waterways, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

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

The Police Command said it would continue to strengthen collaboration with communities and relevant agencies under the Safe School Initiative to protect schoolchildren during emergencies.