A heartbreaking incident in Owerri, Imo State, has left a community in mourning after a 16-year-old student, identified as Paul, lost his life while trying to retrieve a football.

Paul, a student at Urban Secondary School in the Area N, World Bank Housing Estate, had jumped over a fence on Monday to recover the ball that had landed inside a private compound. The property owner, allegedly angered by the intrusion, shot him in the waist.

Efforts to Save Him Failed

Paul was immediately rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Umuguma, Owerri, where doctors performed surgery in a bid to save his life. However, despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

His guardian, Mr. Jonathan Odikanwa, who had cared for him for over seven years, was devastated by the loss. Confirming his passing, he said, “He has passed away. My son has passed away. The doctors just said they lost him.”

Police Arrest Suspect

The Imo State Police Command has since confirmed the incident and arrested the landlord responsible for the shooting. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for justice and questioning the use of excessive force, especially against minors.

Paul’s tragic death serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of violence and the need for better conflict resolution within communities.