The Imo State Police Command has arrested three students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, over the death of a 21-year-old undergraduate, Chinedu Christogonus, who allegedly died after being subjected to brutal treatment by members of a campus security group.
Christogonus, a first-year Cyber Security student, was reportedly accused of stealing N13,500 before he was allegedly assaulted by members of the university’s Man O’ War organisation.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, sparked outrage across the institution, with aggrieved students reportedly damaging property and setting parts of the campus ablaze in protest.
Confirming the development in a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Henry Okoye, disclosed that preliminary investigations pointed to the involvement of some members of the organisation in the fatal assault.
According to the police, the suspects taken into custody are Chukwuemeka Benedict, 21; Kelechi Ikenna, 24; and Obioma Anastasia, 21. The trio are all final-year students of the institution.
Okoye said investigators found that the deceased was allegedly restrained and severely beaten, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
He explained that the victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for urgent medical attention but was later pronounced dead by doctors.
Following reports of the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, ordered an immediate operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.
The police spokesman added that evidence linked to the case had been recovered, while the victim’s remains had been deposited in a morgue pending an autopsy.
To ensure a comprehensive investigation, Bosso directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Owerri for further inquiries.
He also instructed investigators to identify and interrogate all individuals connected to the incident, stressing that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The police commissioner assured the bereaved family, the university community and members of the public that the command would conduct a transparent investigation and ensure justice is served.
The command further appealed for calm, urging residents and students to refrain from taking the law into their hands while investigations continue.