BREAKING: Imo Catholic priest arrested for shooting boy who threw fireworks inside church dead

Catholic priest arrested for shooting teenage boy dead over knockout during New Year mass in Imo.

A Catholic priest has been arrested for allegedly shooting a teenage boy dead over knockout during New Year mass in Ikeduru, Imo State.

The Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyinnaya, has been arrested in Imo State for allegedly shooting a teenage boy dead after he threw knockouts inside the church.

The incident happened during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025, at St. Columbus Catholic Church in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

According to viral social media posts, a resident claimed that the priest, in a bid to disperse a group of boys setting off knockouts within the church, fired some shots in the air.

“The gun hooked up and while trying to check the firearm, it accidentally discharged and hit one of the boys,” the resident claimed.

The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with residents expressing outrage and demanding a thorough investigation to uncover the facts behind the unfortunate event.

According to Imo State Police Command, an investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain surrounding facts around the incident. Hopefully further development on the case will be communicated to the public in due course.