IMO State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Catholic Reverend Father who allegedly shot dead a boy during the New Year Mass held on 1 January 2025 at St. Columbus Catholic Church in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident adding that an investigation is ongoing even as the Catholic priest has been arrested.
“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 PPRO stated. 
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses say the boy was allegedly setting off knockouts within the church premises when Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyinnay, picked up a firearm and fatally shot him.
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.
Eighteen-Eleven Media