A 4-year-old boy in Enugwu Akwu Achi, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State, was reportedly confined inside his teacher’s office for eight hours on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as a form of punishment.
The child was rescued only after his concerned parents raised the alarm late in the evening.
Sources say the teacher asked the boy to remain in her office and subsequently locked the door while leaving for the day, taking the keys with her.
The young pupil, left alone and distressed, reportedly spent hours waiting to be freed, sparking anger among parents and local residents.
The Oji River Local Government Chief Security Officer, Nnaemeka Anyalebechi Radica, confirmed the incident, describing it as a “serious case of child endangerment” and said authorities are investigating the matter.
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Preliminary findings indicate the teacher’s actions may amount to gross negligence.
The case has prompted widespread condemnation from the community and child welfare advocates, who stressed that discipline should never compromise a child’s safety or emotional well-being.
Calls are growing for stricter supervision in schools to prevent similar incidents and ensure that students are protected from abuse.