The teacher accused of allegedly flogging a 12-year-old pupil, Chinedu Emmanuel, to death in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has surrendered to the police following a sustained manhunt by the Anambra State Police Command.
The suspect, whose identity was withheld by the police, voluntarily presented herself at the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters after weeks of coordinated operations by the Command’s Safe School Protection Squad and officers attached to the Neni Division.
Confirming the development yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said on Saturday that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, to conclude the investigation.
Ikenga said the suspect’s surrender followed sustained engagement with community leaders, the traditional institution, and other stakeholders in Adazi-Ani, whose cooperation, he noted, greatly assisted the police.
He assured the bereaved family and members of the public that the Command remained committed to ensuring that justice was served.
“The family of the deceased and members of the public are hereby assured that the Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served,” Ikenga stated.
The police spokesman appealed to residents to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, urging members of the public to continue providing useful information that could assist ongoing investigations and other policing efforts across the state.
The incident, which has generated widespread outrage across Anambra State, allegedly occurred after the pupil was subjected to severe corporal punishment by the teacher at a school in Adazi-Ani.
According to reports, the boy sustained serious injuries following the alleged flogging and was rushed for medical treatment, where he was later pronounced dead.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation from residents, child rights advocates and civil society organisations, with many demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Following the boy’s death, the suspect reportedly went into hiding, prompting the police to launch an intensive manhunt through the Safe School Protection Squad in collaboration with officers from the Neni Divisional Headquarters.