New Year Tragedy: Catholic Priest Arrested For Shooting Boy Dead Over Knockouts Use During Mass In Imo

A Catholic priest in Imo State is currently being held by law enforcement authorities in connection with a fatal shooting incident that occurred on church premises during a mass.

The incident allegedly involved the priest shooting a young boy who was using fireworks during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025, in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.

It was learnt that while one person died on the spot, another person was hospitalised following the shooting.

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.”

When contacted by our correspondent on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye stated that the command is already aware of the incident.

Okoye said, “We are aware of the incident. The priest is in custody and investigation is going on to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident.

The police spokesperson could not confirm the names of the priest and the deceased person, but said an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Okoye, however, 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.”