Gunmen abduct PETROAN BoT chair, kill two aides in Abia

The Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has asked the inspector general of police to intervene in the search for Obasi Lawson, the association’s board of trustees (BoT) chairman, who was abducted in Azumini community, Abia state.

In a statement on Wednesday, Joseph Obele said Lawson, who is also the chief executive officer of Sobaz Group of Companies, was abducted on Tuesday.

“The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at around 7 pm, when Chief Obasi Lawson’s SUV was ambushed, resulting in the death of his driver, Mr. Anayo Ukwu, and his special assistant, Mazi Confidence Chijioke, who were in the same car with him. Meanwhile, the three policemen with them escaped,” Obele said.

“Mazi Confidence Chijioke was a highly respected member of PETROAN, serving as the vice chairman of the Rivers State chapter, managing director of Dozzman Filling Stations, and holding various other positions within PETROAN.

“His death is a significant loss, especially since he was preparing to commission his latest multi million naira filling station in Port Harcourt.

“The national president of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, while addressing newsmen with deep pain, condoled with the family of Mazi Confidence Chijioke, describing his death as one injury too much to bear.”

PETROAN DEMANDS INVESTIGATION INTO POLICE ESCAPE

The association raised concerns about Lawson’s whereabouts and called for an investigation into the three policemen who were with him during the attack.

“PETROAN is appealing to the inspector general of police to take immediate action to ensure the safe rescue of Chief Obasi Lawson,” Obele said.

PETROAN also extended its condolences to the family of Confidence Chijioke, vice chairman of its Rivers chapter, and to the PETROAN leadership in Rivers, headed by Francis Dimkpa.