FUTO Students Protest as Man O’ War Operatives Allegedly Beat Undergraduate Chinedu Chibuzor Christogonus to Death Over N13,000

Students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) on Saturday staged a violent protest and vandalized the office of the institution’s Man O’ War chapter following the alleged death of a 100-level student after a severe beating by members of the paramilitary organization.

The deceased, identified as Chinedu Chibuzor Christogonus, a Cyber Security student, was reportedly accused of stealing N13,000 and a piece of cow skin (popularly known as pomo) from a woman in 2025.

According to eyewitness accounts contained in a viral video circulating within the university community, the commander of the school’s Man O’ War unit allegedly ordered operatives to apprehend and flog the student over the alleged offence.

The incident, which reportedly occurred around 6 p.m. on Friday, sparked outrage among students, leading to a breakdown of law and order on campus. Angry students stormed the Man O’ War base, destroying property, setting up bonfires, and chanting protest songs.

One of the voices heard in the viral video alleged that the assault was carried out on the orders of the unit commander.

“Our commander asked us to flog him. He said he stole N13,000 and pomo from a woman two years ago and ran away. When he saw him, he asked us to catch him and flog him because he was an ex-commando,” the voice claimed.

Another eyewitness said the student was subjected to prolonged torture.

“I saw with my very eyes how they were flogging that boy. I was coming from Umuchima and passed there. After 30 minutes, they were still beating him. Even when I returned, they had not stopped. They used a green pipe normally used for underground wiring to flog him,” the witness alleged.

Some students who condemned the incident accused the Man O’ War unit of frequently using excessive force against students and residents within the university community.

One student claimed that female students and commercial motorcycle operators had also suffered similar treatment in the past.

“This is not the first time they have punished students. They beat people for minor offences. A student was once flogged for cooking in a corridor instead of the kitchen, and she sustained serious injuries. Even okada riders are not safe. Many students live in fear of them,” the student said.

Chinedu was reportedly rushed to a hospital within the university community following the assault but later died from injuries sustained during the beating.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three students in connection with the death of the 21-year-old undergraduate.

The suspects were identified as Chukwuemeka Benedict, 21; Kelechi Gospel Ikenna, 24; and Obioma Anastasia, 21. Police said all three are 500-level students of FUTO.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, ordered the immediate arrest of those linked to the incident upon receiving the report.

Okoye disclosed that investigators have recovered key evidence, while the victim’s remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) morgue for autopsy.

He added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri, for a comprehensive investigation.

According to the police spokesperson, the Commissioner has directed detectives to identify and interrogate all individuals connected to the incident.

“The command is fully on top of the situation and committed to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding Chinedu’s death,” Okoye stated.

He quoted the Commissioner as saying that no individual would be protected if found culpable.

“No individual, regardless of status, will be shielded from the law if found culpable,” the CP said.

The police have appealed to members of the public, the FUTO community, and the family of the deceased to remain calm and allow investigators to conclude their work.