Imo: Outrage as Catholic priest guns down boy over fireworks during New Year Mass

VANGUARD

A Catholic Reverend Father allegedly shot a boy dead after he set off fireworks during the New Year Mass on January 1, 2025, in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday through the ‘For The Love Of Anambra’ page, the priest whose identity remains unknown shot the boy within the church premises.

It noted that the event sent shock waves through the community.
“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 post partly reads.

The sad incident has generated reactions on social media.

Reacting to the incident, a Facebook user, Buka Tee, wrote, “Please let there be proper and comprehensive investigation regarding this Matter. It should not be swept under the carpet. It’s highly and gravely disheartening.”

Another user, Malachy Chukwunyereugo, wrote, “He will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Icha Joseph wrote, “The Rev father acted in self defense, Rev fathers are been murdered everyday in the east they can’t be too careful, moreso the Nigerian police ban those act of barbarism called knockouts especially during these times of rampant insecurities.”

A user, Steve Idealmann wrote, “The father shouldn’t be judged considering what happened in my church yesterday, people are becoming cra-zy as the day goes by, how can you target fireworks at worshippers during service rather than towards the sky it was meant for?

“Everyone needs to talk to his children/wards, it’s becoming unbearable.”

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