Police have launched a manhunt for a teacher after a 12-year-old pupil died from alleged flogging in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has begun searching for a teacher accused of caning a 12-year-old pupil to death at a school in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of ​​the state.

The command said special teams operating under the Safe Schools Initiative have been deployed to trace the suspects and ensure justice is served if the charges are proven.

This was revealed on Friday in a statement by the National Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

According to Ikenga, the operation was coordinated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, who was directed to oversee the investigation.

“The team will, among other things, initiate a manhunt for a teacher who allegedly caned a 12-year-old student resulting in the death of the victim in a school, in Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of ​​the State,” he said.

A police spokesperson explained that officers on duty at Neni Headquarters immediately responded after receiving a distress report regarding the incident on July 16 2026.

He said the child was rushed to a medical facility in an effort to save his life, but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.

“Receiving the report on the evening of July 16 2026, members of the National Police who are members of the Neni Division immediately responded and took the victim to hospital, and the doctor confirmed the victim had died while receiving treatment,” said Ikenga.

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He revealed that the victim’s body had been kept in the hospital morgue pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

According to the command, investigators have documented the scene and taken photos of the deceased, while initial observations show signs of violence on various parts of the child’s body.

Ikenga assured the bereaved families and the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias.

“To this end, the Command has expressed its deep concern over the tragic incident and assured the victims’ families and members of the public that the Command will conduct a thorough, diligent and transparent investigation,” he said.

Police also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting students and students across the state through the Safe Schools Initiative.

“The Command further reiterates its commitment to the protection of school children through the Safe Schools Initiative and appeals to members of the public who have useful information that may assist in the arrest of the suspect to report to the nearest Police Station or contact the Command via its emergency line 07039194332,” the statement added.

Police said efforts to apprehend the fleeing teacher were ongoing as detectives continued their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.