A 21-year-old Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) student, Chinedu Chibuzor Christogonus, died after an alleged assault linked to a theft accusation, prompting the arrest of three students by the Imo State Police Command.
The Imo State Police Command arrested three FUTO students over the death of Christogonus, a 100-level Cyber Security undergraduate and member of the Man O’ War organisation.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, preliminary investigations showed that fellow members of the group allegedly restrained and assaulted the student after accusing him of stealing N13,500.
Furthermore, police identified the suspects as Chukwuemeka Benedict, 21; Kelechi Gospel Ikenna, 24; and Obioma Anastasia, 21. All three are 500-level students of FUTO.
Okoye said the assault left the victim with severe injuries. Consequently, rescuers rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, where medical personnel confirmed him dead.
According to the police, the arrests followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, shortly after authorities received the report.
Meanwhile, investigators recovered relevant evidence connected to the case. They also deposited the victim’s remains in a morgue pending preservation and autopsy.
The police spokesman said initial findings indicated that the deceased suffered serious injuries after the alleged assault by members of the Man O’ War organisation.
In response, Bosso ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Owerri for a comprehensive investigation.
Furthermore, the commissioner directed investigators to identify and question every person linked to the incident. He stressed that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Bosso also assured the victim’s family, the university community and the public that the command would conduct a thorough and professional probe into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
However, he warned that no suspect would receive protection because of status or influence. He urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring justice.
