Imo Catholic priest shoots boy dead during New Year mass

• The incident happened in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the State during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025

In Imo State, a boy has been allegedly shot dead by a Catholic Reverend’s Father for setting off fireworks within the church premises.

The incident happened in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the State during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025,

The tragic occurrence has sparked outrage among netizens with many expressing shock and disbelief and calling for justice.

However, Within Nigeria couldn’t immediately ascertain the name and parish of the priest and the name of the deceased.

In a Facebook post shared via the handle, ‘For The Love Of Anambra,’ on Wednesday, it quoted eyewitness accounts, reporting that after the deceased set off the knockouts, “the priest, whose identity remains undisclosed, picked up a firearm and fatally shot him.

“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.”

The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident on Thursday.

Okoye stated that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

“We have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident.

“Further development on the case will be communicated in due course, please,” the police spokesperson stated in a message.

Reacting to the incident, a Facebook user, Malachy Chukwunyereugo, wrote, “He will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Another Facebook user, Lyn Chy, lamented, “The fact that a Reverend father owns a gun it’s somehow [sic].”

Another user, Peace Ijeoma wrote, “It’s disheartening to see how religious bigots are defending the priest. May we try to be lovers of God and not lovers of the men of God this 2025. Rip to the boy.”

On X, a tweep identified as Bloc Chief, with the username #blochief, shared his amusement.

He tweeted, “I thought this happens in the USA? How can this happen in Imo? Mehn.”

Another tweep, identified as Rise above hat, but tweeting as #asababoi2man, wrote, “Maybe he has [been] abducted before by gunmen… so he felt the men are back.. only God knows what he was thinking.”