By Kamsi Anayo
The Anambra State Police Command, says a teacher accused of flogging a 12-year-old pupil to death at a school in Adazi-Enu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, has surrendered to the police.
The principal suspect, Mrs Dim Ebere, 47, voluntarily reported to the Neni Police Station following days of police manhunt after the tragic incident sparked public outrage.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect turned herself in after sustained operations by the Command’s Safe School Protection Squad in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters.
Ikenga said the operation also involved continuous engagement with stakeholders, community leaders and the traditional institution in Adazi-Ani, whose cooperation contributed to the suspect’s surrender.
According to the police spokesman, the suspect is currently in custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka, where the investigation into the alleged killing will be concluded.
“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 statement read.
“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.” He said
The Command commended the Adazi-Ani community, the traditional institution and other stakeholders for their cooperation, noting that their support was instrumental in securing the suspect’s surrender.
The police assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that justice would be served, while urging residents to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands and continue to provide useful information to aid the ongoing investigation.
The Command had earlier launched a manhunt for the teacher after the 12-year-old boy reportedly died from injuries allegedly sustained after being flogged at the school.
