Police arrest Catholic priest over shooting of boy over knock outs in Imo
Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyiaka, Parish Priest of St. Columba Catholic Church, Amaimo, Ikeduru local council area of Imo State, is now helping the State Police Command, to unravel the facts surrounding the death of a gunshot victim in the community.
Mr Henry Okoye, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed this in a statement. He said: “Yes. A detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident.
“Further development on the case will be communicated in due course, please.”
However, a villager who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “What started like a usual New Year celebration, sadly turned into a tragedy, as our Parish Priest, reportedly shot a young boy in the church compound.
“There was the usual midnight Mass scheduled in the Parish that night. For inexplicable reasons, a good number of people stormed the church compound with all manner of explosives.
“The explosions were not only so much that it was difficult to properly ascertain what was being exploded, but also sent palpable fear in the congregation.
“Sensing a probable worse scenario from what was playing out, picked up his arm in readiness.
“Although I cannot say what happened before the priest fired a shot, everything changed when news of the death of a boy rented the air.
The Eucharistic Celebration ended abruptly and the worshippers scampered to safety.”
The villager further said: “He is quite a jolly good fellow. He has done so well in our Parish. He has completed and dedicated our Parish church.
“The cleric celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination as a Catholic priest the previous day, before this tragedy.”
Efforts to get comments from the Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan about the incident failed, as no feedback was received at the time of going to press.
News Nexus gathered that the remains of the boy had been deposited in a morgue, in a neighbouring community, while police investigation continues.
