Gunmen stormed the capital of Imo state, Owerri, Mbaitoli, and other locations on Friday, December 9th, killing Prince Iheme, the older brother of well-known Nollywood actor Osita Iheme.
The attackers also injured Martin Eke, the state’s commissioner for solid minerals. People fled for safety as a result of the gunmen’s sporadic shooting while riding in Tundra operational vehicles.
Commercial operations were immediately suspended, and the streets were deserted as drivers abandoned their vehicles and ran away.
Orji, a neighbourhood close to Owerri, was also invaded by armed men wearing black clothing who attacked locals, bystanders, and security personnel.
He said, “They just killed a policeman now. They opened fire on them and were shouting, ‘There is a sit-at-home. We have asked you to go home. Stay indoors.’”
An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “This attack is politically motivated. We just finished at one campaign rally ground and were heading to Ubommiri. Our convoy was attacked at Amawuihe before Ubommiri.”
“Prince Iheme (Osita Iheme’s brother) was riding in the same vehicle with the Commissioner for Solid Minerals. Prince Iheme who is Pawpaw’s elder brother was killed on the spot. The commissioner who was sworn in two weeks ago was cut badly. He has just been rushed to a hospital. They were driving in a Ford SUV. I pray he makes it.”
