The incident occurred on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at about 1pm along Mbonu Ejike Street, Ikenegbu, in the state capital. According to the police, the suspect and the teenager got into an altercation, which led to her falling from the building. The victim was rushed to a hospital for treatment and was later transferred to another facility for better medical attention. She is currently in a coma and in critical condition.
The police initially reported that the suspect allegedly pushed the teenager from the building, causing serious injuries. However, the police have cautioned against drawing conclusions about how the girl fell, saying investigations are still ongoing and that the suspect has given a different account of the incident. The suspect reportedly claimed that he had an altercation with the girl and that, while he went to answer a knock at the door, he heard a noise from the back of the building.
The Imo state Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect was rescued from an angry mob that attempted to lynch him before he was taken into custody. Okoye also addressed claims that the suspect allegedly pushed the girl after she rejected his sexual advances, saying the allegation had not been established. The police spokesperson expressed reservations about the suspect's account, saying it did not fully explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Imo state command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable would face the law. The police have appealed to residents to remain calm and allow investigators to establish the facts. The command also warned against spreading unverified claims, particularly allegations concerning the teenager’s death or the motive behind the incident.
This incident bears similarities to a case reported in January 2021, when a 37-year-old man, Nonso Eze, was arrested over the alleged death of his girlfriend after she fell from the fifth floor of a building in Awada, Obosi, Anambra State. The Owerri incident and others highlight the potentially fatal consequences of violent confrontations between intimate partners, particularly when incidents occur in private residences where victims may have limited access to immediate help.
According to a report by Weekend Trust, 136 deaths linked to spousal killings were documented across Nigeria between 2021 and 2025. The report identified domestic disagreements, jealousy, accusations of infidelity, financial disputes, and conflicts over household responsibilities among the circumstances associated with several of the reported killings. The police have warned against jungle justice and unverified reports, as the suspect remains in police custody pending further investigation.
Key points
- The Imo state Police command has arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly pushing his girlfriend's sister from a two-storey building in Owerri.
- The victim, 17-year-old Chiamaka Chukwuokore, is currently in a coma and in critical condition.
- The police have warned against spreading unverified claims and appealed to residents to remain calm as investigations continue.
