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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police probe 19-year-old’s death in Imo street racing crash

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Police in Imo State are investigating the death of a 19-year-old pedestrian struck by a car during an unauthorized street race.
  • The driver, identified as Michael Chibuike Dike, was arrested at the scene and is alleged to have been speeding and participating in the illegal race.
  • The incident occurred near the Imo State University gate, resulting in one fatality and one injury, with the driver facing prosecution.

The Imo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the fatal incident where a 19-year-old pedestrian, Chibuike Friday, was killed by a speeding car during an unauthorized street racing event in Owerri. The accident also left another individual, Bright Ukwuoma, injured.

Police Public Relations Officer Henry Okoye confirmed that the driver, 30-year-old Michael Chibuike Dike, has been arrested. Preliminary investigations indicate that Dike was allegedly participating in an illegal street race when his Lexus ES350 saloon car struck Friday, who was attempting to cross the road. The impact caused the driver to lose control, subsequently hitting Ukwuoma.

The Imo State Police Command has arrested Dike Chibuike Michael, a 30-year-old male from Umuolowu, Ejemekuru, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, in connection with a fatal road traffic accident that occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the front gate of Imo State University. The incident claimed the life of Chibuike Friday, a 19-year-old male from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, while Bright Ukwuoma sustained injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was driving a Lexus ES350 saloon car with registration number KWU 766 AE at excessive speed and was allegedly engaged in an unauthorised street racing activity at the IMSU front gate when he struck Chibuike Friday, who was attempting to cross the road. The impact caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which subsequently struck Bright Ukwuoma, inflicting injuries on him.

— Henry OkoyeThe Imo State Police Public Relations Officer confirms the arrest of the driver and provides details of the fatal street racing incident.

The incident took place around 6:30 pm on Sunday near the front gate of Imo State University on Okigwe Road. Officers from the Orji Police Division responded to a distress call, apprehending the suspect and rescuing him from an angry mob. Both victims were transported to a hospital, where Friday was pronounced dead. Ukwuoma is currently receiving treatment, and the deceased's body has been moved to the morgue for an autopsy.

Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso condemned the event and has directed the State Traffic Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes. The police assured the public that justice would be served and that the suspect would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The CP expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, wished the injured victim a speedy recovery and assured the public that justice would be served. The suspect will be prosec

— Henry OkoyeThe police spokesperson relays the Commissioner of Police's statement on the incident, including condolences and assurances of justice.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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