A suspected illegal street racing incident has claimed the life of a 19-year-old student near the Imo State University (IMSU) campus in Owerri, prompting the arrest of the driver involved and a swift government crackdown on illegal structures around the area.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Dike Chibuike Micheal, 30, from Umuolowu, Ejemekuru in Oguta Local Government Area, over the fatal crash that occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the IMSU front gate.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect was driving a Lexus ES 350 with registration number KWU 766 AE at excessive speed while allegedly participating in an unauthorized street racing activity. Police said the vehicle struck Chibuike Friday, a 19-year-old from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as he attempted to cross the road before losing control and hitting another pedestrian, Bright Ukwuoma, who sustained injuries.
Officers from the Orji Police Division responded to the scene after receiving a distress call, arrested the suspect and rescued him from an angry crowd. Both victims were rushed to the hospital, where Chibuike Friday was confirmed dead, while Bright Ukwuoma remains on admission receiving treatment. The deceased’s body has been deposited in a morgue pending an autopsy.
Eyewitnesses alleged that illegal street racing had become a recurring activity around the university environment, attracting spectators despite the danger it posed to road users. One resident said authorities had been repeatedly urged to stop the practice before it resulted in tragedy.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, condemned the alleged reckless driving that led to the student’s death. He extended condolences to the victim’s family, wished the injured pedestrian a speedy recovery and directed the State Traffic Department to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The police said the suspect would be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
Barely 24 hours after the fatal accident, the Imo State Government launched a demolition exercise around the IMSU front gate. The operation, led by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, alongside the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), targeted illegal roadside structures and shanties believed to be used as criminal hideouts.
Government officials said the exercise was aimed at restoring order, improving road safety and reclaiming public spaces that had been illegally occupied. Several makeshift structures suspected to be linked to drug peddling and other criminal activities were demolished during the operation, while residents expressed hope that the cleanup would improve visibility for motorists, enhance pedestrian safety and reduce crime around the university community.
