The Anambra State Police Command has issued a flood alert to residents, urging parents, guardians and caregivers to stay vigilant and take extra precautions to protect schoolchildren.

The warning follows persistent rainfall and flooding in parts of the state.

In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the alert was issued after recent heavy rains led to flooding that resulted in the death of a school pupil. The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of children during the rainy season.

The pupil, Success Ezenwafor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, was swept away by floodwaters in Isiagu, Awka South Local Government Area. He was on his way to school last Tuesday when the school bus carrying him and other passengers became trapped and overturned in the flood.

Nine other occupants of the vehicle, seven schoolchildren and two adults were rescued alive by police officers working with local residents. They were taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Amaku, Awka, for treatment.

Success, however, was carried away by the flood and remained missing until his body was recovered the following morning. The police have called on parents and caregivers to exercise greater caution as rainfall and flooding continue in parts of the state.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper