Prince Iheme, the elder brother to Nollywood superstar Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw, was killed on Friday afternoon, along with a policeman, by gunmen enforcing a sit-at-home order in some parts of Owerri, Mbaitoli, and other areas in Imo State.

Punch reported that the gunmen, who also macheted the state commissioner for solid minerals, Martin Eke, rode in Tundra operational vehicles and shot indiscriminately, forcing people to scamper for safety.

This pushed businesses into closing early, and it was also gathered that roads were deserted as motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran away.

Narrating how the gunmen who wore black killed a policeman at 7Up junction in Orji, an eyewitness told the publication;

“They just killed a policeman now. They opened fire on them and were shouting, ‘There is sit-at-home. We have asked you to go home. Stay indoors.’”

Another eyewitness said;

“I just escaped death now. They stopped before us and shot in the air and asked us to go home. They didn’t shoot at us maybe because I was in the midst of some elderly women.”

While the fleeing gunmen shot repeatedly at Nkwo Orji market before taking off towards Okigwe Road, they attacked a convoy of the All Progressives Congress candidate for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Akarachi Amadi, at Ubommiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Prince Iheme was killed instantly by the gunmen, who also macheted the state commissioner for solid minerals, Martin Eke.

An eyewitness 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 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.”