The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that a 47-year-old teacher, Mrs Dim Ebere, who is the principal suspect in the alleged flogging death of a 12-year-old pupil in Adazi-Enu, Anaocha Local Government Area, has surrendered to the police.
The Punch reported that the suspect had been declared wanted after the boy reportedly died from injuries allegedly inflicted during a flogging at the school.
In a statement released on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the suspect voluntarily reported to the Neni Police Station after an intensive manhunt by the command’s Safe School Protection Squad.
Ikenga explained that the operation was conducted in partnership with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, alongside sustained engagement with community leaders and other stakeholders in Adazi-Ani.
He added that the suspect is now in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for the conclusion of the 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.”
