By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has commenced a manhunt for a teacher accused of allegedly flogging a 12-year-old pupil to death in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
The tragic incident, which was reported on Thursday, July 16, 2026, is being investigated under the Command’s Safe School Initiative. Police authorities said the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, is leading efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that officers attached to the Neni Divisional Headquarters responded immediately after receiving a distress call and rushed the victim to a hospital for treatment.
According to the police spokesman, the boy was confirmed dead by a medical doctor while receiving medical attention.
Ikenga said the deceased’s body has been deposited in a hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy, while detectives have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that preliminary findings revealed visible injuries on different parts of the child’s body, with photographs taken as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Command stated that efforts are underway to apprehend the teacher, who reportedly fled after the incident, assuring that anyone found responsible will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The police expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and pledged to conduct a thorough, transparent and diligent investigation to ensure justice is served.
Reaffirming its commitment to the protection of schoolchildren, the Command stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for learning, discipline and personal development, rather than environments where children are subjected to violence or abuse.
The Police also appealed to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the fleeing suspect to report to the nearest police station or contact the Anambra State Police Command through its emergency line to aid the ongoing investigation.
