Sixteen-year-old Paul, the secondary school student shot by a landlord in Owerri after attempting to retrieve a ball, has tragically died, succumbing to his injuries just 24 hours after undergoing emergency surgery.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on Monday when Paul, a student of Urban Secondary School in Area N, a World Bank housing area of Owerri, climbed over his school fence to retrieve a ball that had landed on a neighboring property. The landlord, reportedly enraged by the intrusion, shot Paul in the waist, inflicting severe injuries.
Despite undergoing surgery at Umuguma Specialist Hospital in Owerri, Paul’s condition deteriorated. His guardian, Mr. Jonathan Odikanwa, delivered the devastating news, stating, “Paul has passed; my son has passed away. The doctors just pronounced him dead. They said we lost him. Even after the surgery on Wednesday, we have been hopeful that he will come around. My boy, who has lived with me for over seven years, has passed on,” his voice filled with grief.
Mr. Odikanwa had previously expressed hope for Paul’s recovery, particularly after the surgery was performed to address an obstruction in his bowel movements, which was causing the teenager immense pain. Though initial x-rays did not reveal the bullet’s location, doctors proceeded with the operation to alleviate Paul’s suffering.
The Imo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the landlord involved. Okoye stated, “Yes, the man has been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” at the time. Tragically, despite the medical intervention, Paul’s injuries proved fatal.
