Chief Obasi Lawson, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and owner of SOBAZ Oil and Gas, has been kidnapped in Abia State. The incident occurred on Tuesday when his SUV was ambushed in Azumini, Abia State.

Tragically, two of his aides, Mr. Anayo Ukwu (his driver) and Mazi Confidence Chijioke (his special assistant), were killed in the attack. The three police officers accompanying them managed to escape.

The Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the search for Chief Lawson and to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Mazi Confidence Chijioke was a highly respected member of PETROAN, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter and Managing Director of Dozzman Filling Stations. His death has been described as a significant loss to the association and the oil and gas industry.

PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, expressed deep pain over the incident and condoled with Chijioke’s family, describing his death as “one injury too much to bear.” The association is demanding immediate action to ensure the safe rescue of Chief Obasi Lawson.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of business leaders and individuals in Nigeria, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The police and relevant authorities are urged to take swift action to rescue Chief Lawson and bring the perpetrators to justice.