Never Allow Children Cross Flooded Roads, Bridges, Anambra Police Command Warns Parents | Sahara Reporters

The Ministry of Education expressed sadness over the incident, describing the pupil’s death as a painful loss to his family, school community and the education sector.

Following the death of a school pupil who was swept away by a flash flood in Anambra State, the state Police Command has urged parents and guardians to prevent children from crossing flooded roads, bridges, drainage channels and waterways during heavy rainfall.

The warning came as the Anambra State Ministry of Education mourned Master Success Ezenwafor, a pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, who was swept away by a flash flood along the Isiagu axis of Awka-Nibo Road on September 22.

The Ministry of Education expressed sadness over the incident, describing the pupil’s death as a painful loss to his family, school community and the education sector.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, condoled with the bereaved family, as well as the management, teachers and pupils of the school, and prayed for God to grant them the strength to bear the loss.

Ogugua also urged parents and guardians to exercise greater vigilance during the rainy season and caution children against playing or passing through flooded areas, drainage channels and fast-flowing water.

He called on schools, families and communities to work together to keep children safe, stressing that protecting schoolchildren from environmental hazards is a collective responsibility.

“The Ministry of Education extends its condolences to the Ezenwafor family and the entire school community,” Ogugua said.

“May God grant the family and all those affected by the tragedy the strength to bear the loss,” he prayed.

Following the incident, the Anambra State Police Command, in a safety advisory issued on Wednesday, September 30, called on parents, guardians and caregivers to take heightened precautions to protect schoolchildren during periods of severe weather.

The command said the recent heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of the state had tragically resulted in the death of a school pupil.

The statement was signed by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka, on September 30, 2026.

The police particularly advised parents and guardians to avoid allowing children to travel during heavy rainfall, especially where there are visible signs of flooding, strong water currents or water overflowing roads and drainage channels.

The command warned that children must not be allowed to cross flooded roads, bridges, drainage channels or waterways, regardless of how shallow or familiar the route may appear.

“Never allow children to cross flooded roads, bridges, drainage channels or waterways, regardless of how shallow or familiar the route may appear,” the command said.

It warned that floodwater could conceal “open drains, erosion channels, culverts and other life-threatening hazards.”

The police also urged parents and guardians to closely supervise schoolchildren before, during and after school hours, particularly where their homes or schools are located in flood-prone areas.

They were further advised to maintain direct communication with schools and transport providers during severe weather conditions and confirm the safety and location of children before they commence their journey home.

The command urged parents to teach children to stay away from floodwater, drainage channels, rivers, culverts and construction areas, and to move immediately to a safe and elevated location whenever flooding begins.