The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Ifeanyi Joseph, for allegedly pushing a 17-year-old girl, Chiamaka Chukwuokore, from a two-storey building in Owerri, the state capital, on Sunday, in an incident that has sparked outrage across social media and the local community.

According to the police, the suspect allegedly pushed the victim, who is said to be the niece of his girlfriend, from the building located along Mbonu Ejike Street, Ikeneagbu in Owerri, following an alleged altercation between both of them on November 1, 2026, at about 1:00 pm.

Confirming the arrest on Monday, the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the victim sustained serious injuries from the fall and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she is currently receiving medical attention and remains in critical condition, while dismissing rumours that she had died.

Okoye disclosed that following the incident, an angry mob mobilised and attempted to lynch the suspect, but the prompt intervention of police operatives led to his successful rescue, adding that he was subsequently taken into custody and is currently undergoing investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police spokesman further clarified conflicting reports circulating online, noting that while some social media posts alleged that the suspect pushed the girl after she rejected his sexual advances, the suspect claimed he was having an altercation with the girl and that she fell while he went to open a door after hearing a knock, a claim that is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, Okoye revealed that the families of both the victim and the suspect have expressed doubts about the allegation, with the suspect himself reportedly praying for the victim’s survival so she can also testify, adding that the girl is in a coma and has been transferred to a better hospital for intensive care.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, has assured members of the public that the incident is being thoroughly investigated and that investigators have been sent to the scene to gather witness testimonies, promising that all necessary steps will be taken to establish the facts and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.