A Catholic priest, identified as Rev. Father Joseph Enyinaya, has been taken into police custody following an incident at St. Columbus Catholic Church in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State, where a teenager was fatally shot.
The tragic event occurred during the New Year Mass on January 1, 2025, when a young boy allegedly set off a banger inside the church.
Eyewitnesses claim that in response to the disruption, the priest drew a revolver and shot the boy.
The community has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the incident, with many calling for a full investigation to clarify the circumstances.
A Facebook post by the page ‘For The Love Of Anambra’ quoted witnesses who reported that the priest immediately reacted by shooting the teenager after the fireworks were set off.
The Imo State Police have confirmed the arrest of the priest and the recovery of the teenager’s body, which has been taken to Atta Ikeduru Mortuary.
Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated that an in-depth investigation has been launched to uncover the full details of the event.
The priest has been arrested, and the body of the boy has been recovered and deposited at Atta Ikeduru Mortuary.
The police investigation is expected to shed more light on the events leading up to the incident,” Okoye told The Nation on Thursday.
