The Anambra State Police Command has begun a search for a teacher accused of allegedly flogging a 12-year-old pupil to death at a school in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
The command said a special team operating under its Safe School Initiative has been deployed to track down the suspect and ensure that justice is served if the allegations are substantiated.
This was disclosed on Friday in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
According to Ikenga, the operation is being coordinated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, who has been directed to oversee the investigation.
“The team will, among others, commence a manhunt for a teacher that allegedly flogged a 12-year-old student resulting in the victim’s death at a school, in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of the State,” he said.
The police spokesperson explained that officers attached to the Neni Divisional Headquarters responded immediately after receiving a distress report about the incident on July 16, 2026.
He said the child was rushed to a medical facility in a bid to save his life but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
“On receipt of the report in the evening of July 16, 2026, Police operatives attached to Neni Division responded promptly and rushed the victim to a Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor while receiving treatment,” Ikenga said.
He disclosed that the victim’s remains had been deposited in the hospital mortuary pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
According to the command, investigators have documented the scene and taken photographs of the deceased, while preliminary observations revealed visible signs of violence on different parts of the child’s body.
Ikenga assured the bereaved family and the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias.
“To this end, the Command has expressed deep concern over the tragic incident and assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that the Command will conduct a thorough, diligent, and transparent investigation,” he said.
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding pupils and students across the state through the Safe School Initiative.
“The Command further reiterates its commitment to the protection of school children through the Safe School Initiative and urges members of the public with useful information that could aid the arrest of the suspect to report to the nearest Police Station or contact the Command through its emergency line 07039194332,” the statement added.
Police said efforts to apprehend the fleeing teacher are ongoing as detectives continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
(Ripples)