A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyinnaya, who allegedly shot a boy dead after the latter set off knockouts inside the church, has been arrested in Imo State.
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.
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, which happened during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025, in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, has attracted reactions from social media users.
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, “Rev. Fr. Enyinnayat, 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.”
When contacted on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye stated that the command is already aware of the incident.
Okoye added 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.”
Following the alleged shooting of a boy to death by a Catholic Priest in St Columbus Amaimo Ikeduru Council Area of Imo state, by a Catholic Priest, the State Police Command said it has commenced an investigation into the matter
There were different versions of the story that led to the tragic incident, while some residents alleged that the disease threw a banger firework, popularly known as knockout inside the church.
Others alleged that the shooting was an accidental discharge and that it was not an intentional act by the suspect.
However, the Amaimo community has been thrown into a mourning mood especially since the incident happened while they were preparing to celebrate the year.
Some of them who did not want to mention their names have started demanding justice for the diseased noting that the tragic incident was painful to all of them as well as a great loss.
However, the Catholic leadership of the community is yet to state the matter.
But, the Public Relations Officer of the Imo Police Command, Henry Okoye, while confirming the incident, said: “Yes. a detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident. Further development on the case will be communicated in due course.”
