The Parish priest of St Columbus Catholic Church in Amaimo in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state has shot and killed a young parishioner who threw pyrotechnics popularly known as fireworks into the church on crossover night.
TalkNaija reliably gathered that the incident which allegedly happened after the December 31st crossover mass has unsettled the area.
Sources who spoke to TalkNaija stated that the priest mistook the sound of the fireworks to be that of invaders and in a bid for self defense allegedly fired in the air which allegedly claimed the life of a worshipper.
A source who also confirmed the incident, stated that the priest was in police custody, adding that while one person died on the spot, another person was being hospitalized at an undisclosed medical facility.
The source said, "the priest mistook the sound of the fireworks to be that of a gun. He went into his room, brought out his licensed double barreled gun, shot in the air to scare people away.
"The bullet mistakenly hit two persons. One died on the spot while the other person who was injured was rushed to a hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.
"The remains of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue. The priest is with the police now."
The spokesperson for the police in Imo state, Henry Okoye, when contacted confirmed the incident.
In a WhatsApp message on Thursday in Owerri, Okoye, informed journalists that the matter was being investigated by the police.
Responding to an inquiry, the police spokesperson wrote " Yes. A detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the remote facts surrendering the incident. Further development on the case will be communicated in due course, please."
