By Sophia Afolabi

A 13-year-old girl, Adekunle Emanuella Ige, has gone missing after reportedly falling into a drainage channel during a heavy downpour in Umuahia, Abia State.

Emanuella was said to have left home after her maternal aunt sent her to a nearby shop to purchase some items. She reportedly failed to return, prompting a search by her family.

Her mother, Mrs Adekunle Chinasa Ige, who was in Ohafia when she received news of the incident, said her daughter had been staying with her younger sister in Umuahia.

According to her, the girl was given an umbrella before setting out because the weather appeared cloudy, but the situation worsened shortly afterwards.

Mrs Ige said the shopkeeper later informed the family that the rainfall was accompanied by severe flooding, which submerged the drainage channel in front of the shop and made it difficult to distinguish the gutter from the walkway.

She expressed concern that Emanuella may have mistakenly stepped into the flooded drainage while attempting to return home.

The mother said the police had commenced investigation, while family members continued efforts to locate the teenager.

She appealed to government agencies, emergency responders and residents of Umuahia to assist in the search and provide any information that could lead to her daughter’s whereabouts.

“I’m appealing, please, if there is anything people can do, please help us,” she pleaded.

As of the time of filing this report, Emanuella had not been found, while the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remained under investigation.