A second victim shot by a temperamental Catholic priest in Imo State, South-East Nigeria, has died in hospital.

The suspected killer, Rev. Father Joseph Enyinaya, was initially arrested by the police for killing a young boy who allegedly threw a banger as he conducted a crossover service in St. Columbus Catholic Church, Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area, on December 31, 2024.

However, a source in Amaimo told News Express on Thursday: ?A second victim of the priest?s shooting has died in the hospital to which he was rushed after the incident. That brings the number of casualties to two.?

The source, a prominent Nigerian, insisted that nobody threw banger into the church during the crossover service. ?The priest is known to be temperamental. Once it struck midnight and people started shooting bangers, he left the service, hurried to his residence, which is nearby, grabbed his Pump Action Riffle and stated shooting sporadically,? the source said.

He disclosed that, ?When the priest realised what he had done, he ran to a senator?s house where he spent the night to avoid being lynched. The next day the senator invited the police and handed him over to them.?

The source lamented that the needless tragedy took place on the eve of the 25th anniversary of priestly ordination of Rev. Father Enyinaya.

?He hails from a neighbouring community and was supposed to travel to his community that morning to mark his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination. They had already bought the cows and everything was ready for the celebration that may never be held,? the source lamented.

Imo State Police Spokesman, Henry Okoye, who confirmed Rev. Father Enyinaya?s arrest to newsmen, had disclosed on Thursday that a detailed investigation has been initiated to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident.

?The police investigation is expected to shed more light on the events leading up to the incident,? he said.

Update news