Teacher in custody after alleged flogging leaves Anambra pupil dead

The teacher declared wanted in connection with the alleged fatal flogging of a 12-year-old pupil in Anambra State has surrendered to the police, bringing a major development in the ongoing investigation into the incident.

The Anambra State Police Command said Mrs Dim Ebere, 47, presented herself at the Neni Police Station in Anaocha Local Government Area after officers intensified efforts to track her down.

The command had launched a search for the teacher following allegations that the pupil died after suffering injuries from a flogging at a school in Adazi-Enu.

Police spokesperson,  Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Saturday that the breakthrough followed sustained operations by the Safe School Protection Squad working with personnel from the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, alongside continued consultations with community leaders and other stakeholders in Adazi-Ani.

He said the suspect is being held by the police and will be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, where detectives will complete their investigation.

The statement read, “Following sustained manhunt operations by the Anambra State Police Command’s Safe School Protection Squad, in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, and continuous engagement with stakeholders and community leaders in Adazi-Ani, the principal suspect, Mrs Dim Ebere, aged 47, has voluntarily presented herself at the Neni Police Station.

“The suspect is currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, where the ongoing investigation will be concluded.

“To this end, the Command commends the cooperation of the Adazi-Ani community, the traditional institution and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the suspect’s surrender.

“The family of the deceased and members of the public are hereby assured that the Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served.

“The Command further urges members of the public to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands, and continue to provide useful information that will aid ongoing investigations and other policing efforts across the state.”