The Anambra State Police Command has said that the principal suspect, a teacher, Mrs Dim Ebere, 47, who allegedly flogged a 12-year-old boy to death at a school in Adazi-Enu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, has voluntarily reported to the Neni Police Station in the same LGA.
The police had earlier launched a manhunt for the suspect after the 12-year-old boy reportedly died from injuries allegedly sustained during the flogging.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect turned herself in following sustained manhunt operations by the command’s Safe School Protection Squad.
Ikenga said the operation was carried out in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters and through continuous engagement with stakeholders and community leaders in Adazi-Ani.
According to him, the suspect is currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka, where the ongoing investigation will be concluded.
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.”