Police arrest landlord for shooting student over stray football in Owerri

The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a landlord, whose identity remains undisclosed, for allegedly shooting a young boy named Paul.

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

IDOMA VOICE gathered that on Wednesday, 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 landed in a neighboring compound. While attempting to retrieve it, Paul jumped into the landlord’s property and was shot in the waist, leaving him critically injured.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Imo State, Henry Okoye, stated that the suspect had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing. He also confirmed that Paul was receiving medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Paul’s guardian, Jonathan Odikanwa, expressed deep concern for the boy’s condition. Speaking to our correspondent on Wednesday, he emphasized his priority was Paul’s survival rather than escalating the matter.

“I appreciate your visit, but for now, my focus is on my son’s recovery. The X-ray revealed no bullet in his body, yet doctors are puzzled by his bowel obstruction. He is scheduled for surgery to determine the cause.

“All I ask is for prayers. He’s in pain, crying for water, but doctors are still trying to understand his condition. Until the surgery is successful, I have nothing more to say—just pray for his survival,” Odikanwa pleaded.

Paul, who has been living with the Odikanwa family for about eight years, is a JSS 1 student at Urban Secondary School, Owerri.