6The fate of a young woman who fell from a storey building in Owerri, Imo State, has drawn public attention after the police dismissed social media reports claiming she had died, confirming that she remains alive but in critical condition.
The woman is receiving treatment at Mark of Glory Specialists Hospital in Owerri following the incident, which occurred on Sunday. The circumstances surrounding her fall remain unclear, with investigators working to establish what happened before she was found injured.
The Imo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed the victim’s condition during an interview with SaharaReporters on Monday. He cautioned against spreading unverified information about the case, particularly claims concerning the woman’s death and the allegations against a young man who is currently in police custody.
According to the police, the investigation is still at an early stage, and no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding the events that led to the incident.
Social Media Claims Trigger Public Reactions
Reports circulating online alleged that the young man pushed the woman from the building after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
The accounts further claimed that the suspect’s girlfriend, who is the victim’s sister, had travelled and left her sibling in his care before the incident occurred.
These claims have generated reactions, but the police have warned that the allegations should not be treated as established facts while inquiries are ongoing.
Okoye specifically rejected reports suggesting that the victim had died, explaining that although her condition was serious, she was still receiving medical attention.
He said the woman might be unconscious because of the severity of her condition, making her recovery particularly important to the investigation.
“A lot of people are reporting that the girl is dead but it’s not true. The girl is currently receiving treatment at the hospital though she is in a critical condition, maybe in coma, but she is not yet dead and we are praying for her recovery,” Okoye said.
The police spokesperson’s clarification comes amid concerns over the rapid circulation of information about the incident, much of which remains unverified.
Suspect’s Explanation Under Investigation
The police confirmed that the young man accused in connection with the incident had been taken into custody. However, investigators are not accepting his explanation without further checks.
According to Okoye, the suspect claimed that he was inside the house when somebody knocked on the door. He reportedly went to answer the knock and later heard movement around the balcony at the rear of the building.
The suspect allegedly told investigators that he discovered the woman had fallen when he returned, adding that he did not know how the incident happened.
The police have made it clear that this account has not been accepted as a conclusive explanation of the circumstances surrounding the woman’s injuries.
Okoye said officers planned to visit the scene and obtain information from eyewitnesses who might have seen what happened.
“We are not believing even his own account. We are going to the scene to get testimonies of eyewitnesses that saw what happened,” he said.
The planned inquiries are expected to help investigators determine the sequence of events leading to the woman’s fall and establish whether anyone was responsible.
Suspect Allegedly Raised Concerns About Victim
The police spokesperson also provided details of the suspect’s reported relationship with the victim.
According to Okoye, the suspect told investigators that the woman had been living with him and his girlfriend, who is her sister.
He allegedly claimed that he had complained to his girlfriend several times about the victim bringing men into the house.
However, the police have not established whether the alleged disagreements had any connection with the incident. The claims remain part of the information investigators are expected to examine alongside witness statements and other available evidence.
The allegations circulating online concerning the alleged rejection of sexual advances have also not been independently established by the police.
Investigators will need to determine whether there was a confrontation before the woman fell and whether any available evidence supports the different accounts of the incident.
Victim’s Family Reportedly Defends Suspect
Okoye further disclosed that the victim’s family had reportedly expressed confidence in the suspect, saying they knew him and his family well.
According to the police spokesperson, the relatives questioned the allegation that the young man could have deliberately pushed their daughter from the building.
“Even the family of the victim, they are even backing the boy that they know the boy very well, that they doubt if the boy can do this kind of thing, that they know his family well,” Okoye said.
The family’s reported position, however, does not settle the questions surrounding the incident. The police have maintained that their responsibility is to establish the facts through an independent investigation.
Neither the allegations against the suspect nor the explanations offered in his defence have been presented as a final account of what happened.
Police Promise Action Based on Evidence
The Imo State Police Command has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute the suspect if sufficient evidence establishes his culpability.
Okoye said the victim’s recovery remains a major concern, expressing hope that she would regain sufficient strength to explain what happened.
He stressed that the police would rely on the outcome of their inquiries before deciding on the appropriate legal action.
“Our own is to do thorough investigation. So if at the end of the day we find the young man culpable, definitely he will be charged to court. But for now, our prayer is that the girl recovers and says what happened,” he said.
The command has also appealed to Nigerians to avoid circulating unconfirmed reports about the woman’s condition or presenting allegations as proven facts.
For now, the victim remains under medical care, while the suspect is in custody and the police continue their investigation.
The circumstances of the fall, including whether it resulted from an accident or another person’s actions, remain unresolved. The police say their findings and the evidence gathered will determine the next steps in the case.
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