Nigerian teacher in custody for allegedly flogging 19-month-old baby to death

A Nigerian primary school teacher who allegedly flogged a 19-month-old baby to death has been arrested. According to Africanews, the teacher allegedly flogged the victim 31 times as punishment for getting wet while playing with water. The victim’s legs and hands were allegedly bound prior to the flogging.

The minor, identified as Obinna, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, police in Delta state said, adding that the incident is currently being investigated.

“We have the suspect who is the son of the owner of the school in our custody,” said DSP Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state.

The incident allegedly happened at the Arise Nursery and Primary School. The educational institution has since been closed by the Delta State Government for operating without a license.

The Chief Operating Officer of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable People Network, Ebenezer Omejalile, told the news outlet that the suspect and the proprietor of the school were taken into custody in the wake of the incident. But they were released after they struck an agreement with the deceased minor’s family.

Police, however, re-arrested the two suspects after the baby died on Saturday, Omejalile said.