Varsity student dies in car accident while avoiding police at checkpoint
A 300-level Sociology student of Ebonyi State University, Ayogu Evans, tragically lost his life while attempting to evade police operatives during a routine stop-and-search operation.
SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, spokesman of the State Police Command, confirmed the incident to journalists and said the student was spotted by police officers at a checkpoint around Nkaliki Road in Abakaliki, the state capital.
When the officers attempted to conduct a search on him, the student accelerated away, leading to an accident.
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Although passersby rushed Evans to the hospital, he was pronounced dead a few hours later.
An anonymous source revealed that the student was being pursued by the police when the accident occurred, and claimed that the police officers fled the scene shortly after the incident, returning later to remove the wrecked car.
In response, Onome denied the claim that the officers fled, stating that they promptly arrived at the scene and took the victim to the hospital after the accident.
She emphasised that the officers were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation when the tragic events unfolded.
The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Augustina Ogbodo, expressed condolences to the student leaders and assured them that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
CP Ogbodo urged citizens to support the police in carrying out their duties and to report any unprofessional conduct while assuring the public that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against any officer found in breach of their duties.
