A landlord in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, has been arrested after allegedly shooting a young boy who entered his compound to retrieve a football. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children in residential areas and the use of firearms in domestic disputes.
The victim, identified as Paul, was playing football with his friends on Monday at the Urban Secondary School field in the World Bank Housing Estate, located in Area N. According to reports, the ball accidentally bounced over the fence and into the compound of the landlord’s house. In an attempt to retrieve the ball, Paul jumped into the property but was shot in the waist by the landlord.
The gunshot wound left Paul critically injured, and he was immediately rushed to the hospital. He is currently receiving medical treatment while his family and the community await updates on his condition.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of the landlord, whose identity has not been disclosed as of now. The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the shooting and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
“The man has been arrested, and an investigation is underway. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” Okoye said in a brief statement to the press.
The incident has left the local community in shock, with many expressing disbelief over the severity of the landlord’s reaction to a simple accident involving a football. Paul’s condition has sparked widespread concern, especially as initial medical reports suggest that the injury may not be as straightforward as it appeared.
Paul’s guardian, Jonathan Odikanwa, who has been caring for him for the past eight years, spoke to journalists on Wednesday about his son’s condition. Odikanwa, who is a businessman, expressed his deep concern for Paul’s health, asking for prayers for his survival rather than focusing on the legal aspects of the incident at this stage.
“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,” Odikanwa said, visibly emotional.
He went on to explain that after the shooting, Paul was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed an X-ray. The X-ray showed that there was no bullet lodged in his body, but doctors were still puzzled by his condition. Paul’s bowel movements were not functioning properly, and doctors were working to determine the cause.
“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 so they can look into his stomach and see what is going on there,” Odikanwa explained.
He asked for privacy and prayers, emphasizing that the family needed support at this difficult time rather than public scrutiny of the incident. “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.”
Despite his son’s severe pain, Odikanwa has refrained from commenting further on the shooting until after Paul’s surgery, preferring to focus on his son’s recovery.
Paul, who is currently in Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) at Urban Secondary School, has lived with the Odikanwa family for the past eight years. He is described as a bright and well-behaved young boy, and the family has shown concern for his well-being as he remains in critical condition following the shooting.
In the community, the incident has sparked outrage, with many residents expressing disbelief that a simple football accident could result in such a violent response. There have been calls for justice and for authorities to ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated.
Local leaders and residents of the World Bank Housing Estate have condemned the landlord’s actions, with some arguing that the shooting was an extreme overreaction to a situation that could have been handled more peacefully.
As the investigation continues, there are growing calls for the landlord to face legal consequences for his actions. According to experts, the use of firearms in domestic disputes is illegal in Nigeria without proper licensing and justification. The Imo State Police have pledged to follow due process in the investigation and ensure that justice is served.
