The Enugu State Police Command has taken Mrs. Ogechi John into custody following the death of her nine-year-old stepdaughter, Amanda John. The case has drawn sharp public anger across the state.
Officials confirmed the arrest on Monday through a statement posted on Governor Peter Mbah’s WhatsApp media platform. According to the statement, the suspect hails from Oderiko in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Mrs. John was picked up on Monday morning after Amanda died at their home in Nchatancha, Emene, within Enugu East Local Government Area. Police said she was arrested in connection with the alleged beating that led to the child’s death. 
Neighbors told authorities the incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Sunday. They also alleged that Amanda had endured repeated and severe maltreatment in the months leading up to her death.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, responded swiftly and condemned the act in strong terms. She called the killing unacceptable and said the government would see that justice is pursued.
“It is on record that the Governor Peter Mbah administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide,” Enih said. She noted that officials moved quickly once news of the tragedy reached them to ensure the suspect was arrested.
Enih added that the state government would track the investigation closely to ensure accountability. She stressed that the case should be handled thoroughly and without delay.
“We will be pressing for a thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done really fast. Nobody should take another’s life, and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality,” she said.
Police confirmed that Mrs. John remains in custody while investigations into the circumstances of Amanda’s death continue.
