By Florencemary Nwabueze
In a significant development following a tragic incident that has shaken the Adazi-Ani community in Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, the principal suspect in the alleged flogging of a 12-year-old boy to death has surrendered to police authorities.
According to the command Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement on Saturday, the suspect, identified as Mrs. Dim Ebere, aged 47, voluntarily presented herself at the Neni Police Station on Saturday 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.
The incident occurred on July 16, 2026, when the victim, a 12-year-old student whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was allegedly flogged by a teacher at a school in Adazi-Ani. Police operatives attached to Neni Division responded promptly to the report and rushed the boy to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor while receiving treatment.
According to the police report, preliminary observations revealed visible marks of violence on different parts of the victim's body. The body has since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The command had activated its Safe School Initiative Operations following the incident, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operation, ACP Harrison Oruruo, commencing a manhunt for the suspect.
Ebere who surrendered is currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka, where ongoing investigations will be concluded.
The Command further commend the cooperation of the Adazi-Ani community, traditional institution, and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the suspect's surrender.
The Command assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that it remains committed to ensuring that justice is served.
"We further urge 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," Ikenga stated.