Police Escorts Escape As Abia Billionaire Is Abducted, Two Aides Killed

By Charles Igbo

An Abia State billionaire- businessman, Chief Lawson Obasi, has been abducted by gunmen.

Obasi, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Petroleum Retailers Outlet  Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, was, according to the Association, abducted at about 7.00pm on March 4, 2025. He also owns SOBAZ Oil and Gas, Azumini, Abia State. He is big in oil and gas business.

While he was abducted, his abductors, in the process, shot dead his driver, identified as Anayo Ukwu, and his Special Assistant, Conference Chijoke who was, also, the Vice President of the Association in Rivers State. Both men were in same  car with Chief Obasi.

Ironically, the Chief had three Police Escorts with him, all of whom escaped from the heat of the fire.

In a statement, Joseph Obele, PETROAN National Publicity Secretary, said Obasi’s vehicle was ambushed by his abductors who killed his two Aides on the spot, and violently abducted him.

Part of the statement reads: “The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at around 7.00pm, when Chief Obasi Lawson’s SUV was ambushed, resulting in the death of his driver, Mr Anayo Ukwu, and his Special Assistant, Mazi Confidence Chijoke, who were with him. Meanwhile the three Policemen with them escaped.”

Reacting to the incident in a statement on Friday, the Abia State Police Command confirmed the abduction of Chief Obasi and the killing of his Special Assistant and Driver.

According to the Command, on March 4, a report was received from  Sergeant George Gubi Ernest that ASP Tanko Natip, Inspector Ernest and himself all of the Special Protective Unit, SPU, Base 6, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were assigned as Escorts to Chief Obasi Lawson. They traveled to Arochukwu, Abia State with him.

At about 13:00hrs, according to the Police report, while they were on their way back to Port Hacourt through Azumini Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area, Abia State, they ran into an ambush at Mkap Jekere Ndoki, around 19.00 hours, laid by gunmen in a dark blue Sienna. The vehicle double-crossed them, and opened fire.

The statement read in part: “While the Officers were repelling the attack, another set of gunmen forcefully took Chief Lawson, ordered him into their vehicle, and took him to an unknown destination, leaving the driver and one other person dead.

“Tactical teams were immediately drafted to the scene, and the area is being presently combed with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt. The crime scene has been visited, and Police Operatives are conducting thorough searches in the area.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Daniel Isa, immediately visited the area in the company of the DC Operations and other teams. He urged residents to remain calm and security-conscious as intensive patrols have been activated in the area.”