Gunmen kill PETROAN vice president, kidnap association’s BoT chairman

Confidence Chijioke, the vice president of the Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria in Rivers state has been killed by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

Chijioke was killed alongside Anayo Ukwu, the driver of the association’s Board of Trustees chairman, Obasi Lawson who was also kidnapped by the gunmen.

The incident occurred in the Azumini community of Abia State as they accompanied the BoT chairman in his vehicle.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the association, Joseph Obele said the gunmen ambushed the vehicle the victims were travelling with at about 7 pm on Tuesday, March 3.

“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 inaugurate his latest multimillion-naira filling station in Port Harcourt,” he said.

Describing the incident as a big loss to the association, Obele said the three police officers attached to the association’s members managed to escape.

While condoling with the families of the deceased, Obasi called on the Inspector General of Police to treat the matter with urgency.

He also called for an investigation into the three police officers who were with the victims during the attack.

“The association is deeply concerned about the whereabouts of Chief Obasi Lawson and is requesting that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, investigate the three policemen who were part of the team during the incident,” Obele noted.