By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The principal suspect in the alleged flogging to death of a 12-year-old schoolboy in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has surrendered himself to the Police following sustained manhunt operations.
The suspect, identified as Mrs. Ebere Dim Ebere, aged 47, reportedly presented herself at the Neni Police Station after the Anambra State Police Command’s Safe School Protection Squad, in collaboration with officers of the Neni Divisional Police Headquarters, intensified efforts to track her down.
The development was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement issued over the weekend.
According to the statement, the suspect’s surrender followed sustained manhunt operations by the Police as well as continuous engagement with community leaders and other stakeholders in Adazi-Ani.
SP Ikenga said Mrs. Ebere was currently in Police custody and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, where the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 12-year-old boy will be concluded.
The latest development follows an earlier report and statement by the Command on the tragic incident, which reportedly occurred at a school in Adazi-Ani.
The Police had earlier said that officers attached to the Neni Divisional Headquarters responded to the incident on the evening of July 16 and rushed the boy to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
The Command had also disclosed that the deceased’s body was deposited at a hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy, while preliminary observations reportedly revealed visible marks of violence on different parts of his body.
According to the Police Spokesman, the Command appreciates the cooperation of the Adazi-Ani community, traditional institution and other stakeholders whose support contributed to the suspect’s surrender.
He assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that the Police remain committed to ensuring that justice is served, adding that the investigation would be conducted diligently.
SP Ikenga further appealed to members of the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, while urging residents to continue providing useful information that could assist the ongoing investigation and other policing operations across the state.
