BREAKING: Catholic Priest Shoots Boy Dead Over Fireworks During New Year Mass

A Catholic priest has allegedly shot a boy dead after the latter ignited fireworks within the church grounds.

The incident, which took place during the New Year Mass on January 1, 2025, in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, has sparked significant reactions on social media.

However, at the time of this report, the names of the priest or the deceased, as well as the parish involved couldn’t be ascertained.

In a Facebook post shared by the account ‘For The Love Of Anambra’ on Wednesday, eyewitnesses stated that after the boy set off the fireworks, “the priest, whose identity has not been disclosed, picked up a firearm and shot him fatally.”

The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with residents expressing outrage and demanding a thorough investigation into the tragic event.

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

Okoye stated that an investigation has been initiated.

“We have launched a detailed inquiry to ascertain the underlying facts surrounding the incident. Further updates on the case will be communicated in due course,” the police spokesperson noted in a message.

Reacting to the incident, Facebook user Malachy Chukwunyereugo commented, “He will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Another user, Lyn Chy, expressed concern, stating, “It’s alarming that a priest owns a firearm.”

User Peace Ijeoma lamented, “It’s disheartening to see religious bigots defending the priest. May we aspire to be lovers of God rather than mere followers of men in clerical dress this 2025. Rest in peace to the boy.”

On X, a user known as Bloc Chief, with the handle #blochief, expressed disbelief, tweeting, “I thought this was something that happened in the USA? How can this occur in Imo? Unbelievable.”

Another user, tweeting as #asababoi2man, speculated, “Perhaps he has been abducted by gunmen before… so he felt threatened. Only God knows what was going through his mind.”