FUTO shuts down as Man O’ War beats 100 level student to death

There are strong fears of mass protest in Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State, after Men suspected to be cultists allegedly killed a first-year student of the institution inside campus.

The victim, a male student in his late teens, allegedly died in the hands of the Man O’ War brigade operating as auxiliary security group in the campus.

The victim has been identified as Chinedu Chibuzor, a 100 level student of Cyber Security Department of the institution. It was not clear what led to his torture and death.

Other details of the victim are being reserved as it is not yet clear that his parents or relatives have been notified of the incident. However, the story and his photographs are already trending online as of Saturday.

The incident which happened on Friday amplified worsening security incidents in the campus where students complain of kidnappings, porous boundaries, regular infiltration by unknown men, and other security lapses that trigger unending fear within the campus community.

Daily Champion learnt from some students of the university that the body of the murdered first-year student was recovered by school security personnel who alerted local police officers who stormed the campus briefly before leaving.

Our sources who refused to disclose the identity of the victim narrated that the student was whipped to death in a mass beating exercise said to be the common punitive measure used by the Man O’ War voluntary security outfit authorized by the school authorities to assist with internal crime control.

Our efforts to get official response from the school authorities proved futile as responsible spokesmen were said to be unavailable, while men of Man O’ War group in the campus are also said to have fled campus to escape anger of the students.

Photographs trending on campus community platforms show the dead body of the student with several whip marks that indicate extreme torture, while some students who have been through ordeals with the Man O’ War group said the whipping was the signature punishment by the group which have been accused of using extreme force on unfortunate students.

Although the Man O’ War group is said to be recognized by FUTO authorities as auxiliary security group, students allege that the group is fast turning into a cult gang that constantly intimidates rival groups, opponents and sundry adversaries.

It is not clear what led to the beating of the dead student, but student groups insist that killing the victim was barbaric and that the group has become a security risk to the university’s student community.

“No matter what he might have done, they should not have killed him like a dog. Even dogs should not die that way,” a female student who narrated the incident told out reporters.

As at Saturday night, no member of the Man O’ War was in school, and student groups were said to be holding consultations on how to react to the incident which came in the wake of reported kidnapping of some students residing in private hostels in the community.

It would be recalled that host Eziobodo community erupted in anger after youths from the area engaged suspected Fulani herdsmen in gun battle to foil a kidnapping attempt. The foiled kidnap incident came after some students of FUTO were also reportedly kidnapped by men also suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

In the meantime, the management of the school has ordered the closure of the institution for two weeks.

Although, it was not clear as at press time whether the directive was as a result of security report but a student of the university confirmed to Daily Champion that studnents were ordered to vacate the premises.

The latest development came on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Imo State Police Command have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder.

According to an official statement issued in Owerri, the  state capital on Sunday, by the police command spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye the sud death of the student, one Chinedu Chibuzo Chritogonus,  occurred under suspicious circumstances on 30th May, 2026.

The statement  further said, ” preliminary investigation reveals that the deceased, a 100-level student of Cyber Security and a member of the Man  O’ War organization in FUTO, was allegedly subjected to severe assault by some members of the organization following an accusation of theft involving the sum of Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Naira (₦13,500).”

It stated that the  suspects who are  currently in police custody are Chukwuemeka Benedict,  Kelechi Gospel Ikenna and Obioma Anastasia  all are 500-level students of the  university

The statement confirmed that initial findings indicated that the deceased was allegedly restrained and assaulted, resulting in critical injuries pointing out that, he was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

Upon receiving the report, the statement said further the  Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, immediately directed operatives to take swift action which led  to the  arrest of the suspects.

The official  statement which  assured the public  of justice, revealed that  relevant evidence has been secured, while the corpse has been deposited in the morgue for preservation and autopsy.

It added that to ensure thorough and discreet investigation, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri

The Commissioner  of Police, further directed that all persons connected to the incident be identified and investigated, with a view to ensuring that justice is served  assuring the family of the deceased, the university community, and members of the public that the Command is fully on top of the situation and remains committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the death.