Boki’s “General Iron” Dies in a Battle

By Stanley Ekpenyong, Calabar

A repentant militant from Oku community in Boki local government area of Cross River state, Mark Tawo Obi, alias “General Iron” who later became Governor Ben Ayade’s Special Adviser on Forest Security, has reportedly died in a gun duel.

One account claimed he died while he and his gang  engaged soldiers in a gunfire. The Nigerian Army is yet to confirm this.

However, another account has it that he was killed in a gun duel with some local vigilante in Boki.

Though he claimed to have renounced militancy paving the way for his appointment, General Iron had severally been accused of unleashing terror on some perceived opponents and communities in Boki.

He was often fingered in gang wars over who controls the booming illicit timber logging in the council. Boki’s vast virgin forests are rich with best woods in the world.

General Iron’s last act of terror before he met his waterloo was the mindless mauling, early this month, of his uncle, Barrister Mark  Obi, a former member of the State’s House of Assembly.

He not only left Barrister Obi with life threatening injuries but also destroyed  his house and  many valuable properties.

Following the attack on the ex lawmaker, a livid Ayade wasted no time in wielding the big stick by sacking General Iron from office.

General Iron was later to write a letter of apology, which was largely ignored,  asking for forgiveness from the Governor and all those he had offended.

The gory picture of his corpse indicated that he was apparently decapitated after being gunned down.