The Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the search for its Board of Trustees chairman, Chief Obasi Lawson, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Sobaz Group of Companies.
In a statement on Wednesday, PETROAN revealed that Chief Lawson was attacked in Azumini, Abia State, on Tuesday when his SUV was ambushed.
The statement, signed by PETROAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, disclosed that the attack led to the deaths of Chief Lawson’s driver, Mr Anayo Ukwu, and his special assistant, Mazi Confidence Chijioke, “who were in the same car as him.”
It further noted that the three police officers accompanying them managed to escape.
PETROAN described Chijioke as a highly respected member of the association, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter, Managing Director of Dozzman Filling Stations, and holding other key positions within the organisation.
The association added, “His death is a significant loss, especially since he was preparing to commission his latest multi-million-pound filling station in Port Harcourt.”
The statement quoted PETROAN’s National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, who, while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, expressed deep pain over the incident and condoled with Chijioke’s family, describing his death as “one injury too much to bear.”
PETROAN also demanded an investigation into the three police officers who were part of Chief Lawson’s security detail at the time of the attack.
The association stated, “The association is deeply concerned about the whereabouts of Chief Obasi Lawson and is requesting that the Inspector General of Police investigate the three policemen who were part of the team during the incident.
“PETROAN is appealing to the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action to ensure the safe rescue of Chief Obasi Lawson.
“The association has also extended its condolences to the family of Mazi Confidence Chijioke and the PETROAN state leadership in Rivers State, headed by Sir Francis Dimkpa.”