Police Arrest Landlord for Allegedly Shooting JSS1 Student in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a landlord for allegedly shooting a secondary school student, identified as Paul, in Imo State.

The incident occurred when Paul jumped into the landlord’s compound to retrieve a football during a game.

According to reports, Paul and his schoolmates were playing football on Monday at Urban Secondary School field in Area N, World Bank Housing Estate, Owerri, when the ball went over the fence into a neighboring compound.

As Paul attempted to retrieve it, the landlord allegedly shot him in the waist, leaving him critically injured.

The spokesperson for the police command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the landlord’s arrest on Wednesday, March 19.

“The man has been arrested, and an investigation is ongoing. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” the PPRO said.

However, Paul’s guardian, Jonathan Odikanwa, who was seen frantically seeking surgery for the injured boy, told the said on Wednesday that his primary concern was his child’s well-being and that he did not wish to escalate the matter.

“I thank you for coming to interview me. However, I don’t want to escalate the issue for now. I just want my boy to survive this critical period. The X-ray showed that there is no bullet in his body but doctors are wondering why his bowel movements are not working. He is scheduled for surgery for them to look into his stomach and see what is going on there,” he said.

“So for now, what I earnestly want from you and everyone else is to join us to pray for him to survive. He’s been crying for water but the doctors are trying to find out what is causing the problem with the bowel movements.”

“I know he is in pain but until after the procedure and the success, I don’t want to say anything. Just join us and pray for my son to survive.”