- “Community demands the killers of Chijioke and his driver, and the kidnappers of Mazi Obasi “must be tracked down, arrested, and made to face the full wrath of the law”
The Atani, Arochukwu Welfare Union Worldwide says it is “burdened by grief, pain, and righteous anger” over the “brutal and senseless murder of one of our brightest sons, Mazi Chiedozie Confidence Chijioke, CEO of Dozzman Oil Ltd” and his “innocent driver,” Anayo Ukwu.
In a statement, President General of the union, Barr. Kenneth Okwuobasi Ogbonna and Secretary General, Barr. Soni Nwamuo Kanu, said they “are equally shaken to our core by the tragic abduction of Mazi Lawson Obasi , Atuma Aro , a man whose life has been dedicated to the service and development of Atani, Arochukwu, and humanity at large.”
Mazi Obasi (SOBAZ ) is the Board of Trustees Chairman of Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN).
They demanded that “the killers of Mazi Chiedozie Confidence Chijioke, DOZZMAN and the kidnappers of Mazi Lawson Obasi, SOBAZ must be tracked down, arrested, and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The Welfare Union said Mazi Chijioke and his driver were killed on the night of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, as they journeyed back to Port Harcourt from a peace-seeking mission at Atani, Arochukwu aimed at resolving the lingering boundary issues between Atani and the neighboring communities of Okpoto and Obotme.
They lamented that “armed men, filled with evil and cruelty, ambushed and accosted them along the Azumini-Ndoki Road in Ukwa LGA, Abia State. The convoy came under heavy attack. Three police officers attached to them barely escaped, but our dear brother, Mazi Chiedozie Chijioke , was cruelly cut down by the bullets of these wicked men, alongside the driver of Chief Lawson Obasi . And as though that bloodshed was not enough, they abducted Mazi Lawson Obasi , and to this moment, his whereabouts remain unknown.
“This is a monumental loss to Atani, Arochukwu and Abia State. Mazi Chiedozie Chijioke was not just a shrewd businessman. He was a patriot, philanthropist, employer of labour, industrialist, A man of vision and courage, whose love for Atani knew no bounds. He stood for peace, development, and progress. His passion for Atani, for Arochukwu, and for Abia State was unparalleled. In his prime, he was taken from us, leaving a wound that may never heal.
“Mazi Lawson Obasi (SOBAZ) needs no introduction. A giant in philanthropy. A man who single handedly constructed roads in Atani and provided solar lights for both Atani and Arochukwu, illuminating the lives of countless families. Today, we do not know his fate, but we stand in prayer, in unity, and in faith, calling upon God Almighty, the ancestors of Atani, and all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and secure his immediate release, unhurt.
“On a very serious note, this callous and abominable act must not go unpunished. Yes, this cowardly and despicable act by bloodthirsty gunmen is condemned in the strongest terms.
“Atani, Arochukwu, and all peace-loving people cannot and will not be silent in the face of such evil. This was an attack not just on two men, but on the entire Atani Community. It was an assault on peace, on unity, and on everything we stand for.
“We call on the government of Abia State, the security agencies, the Army, the DSS, and all relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice. Those responsible for this heinous crime must not go unpunished. The killers of Mazi Chiedozie Confidence Chijioke, DOZZMAN and the kidnappers of Mazi Lawson Obasi, SOBAZ must be tracked down, arrested, and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Umu Atani, we must remain united, consoled and steadfast. In this moment of great sorrow, we urge all Umu Atani, both home and abroad, to stand strong, to stand together, and to honor the memory of our fallen hero, DOZZMAN .
“Let us hold his family in our hearts and in our prayers. Let us support one another and ensure that the ideals of progress, unity, and selflessness that Mazi Chiedozie Confidence Chijioke stood for never fade away.
“To his grieving family, we offer our deepest condolences. Words fail us, but know this: he did not die in vain. Atani will forever remember him. His legacy will never be erased.
“To the family of Mazi Lawson Obasi , we stand with you in this hour of trial. We will not rest, we will not be silent, until he is found and brought home safely.
“We pray that God Almighty, the Great Architect of the Universe, the spirits of our ancestors, Ndi Ichie Atani and the justice power of Ala Atani will avenge this wickedness. We pray for comfort, for strength, and for peace. And most importantly, we pray for the immediate and safe return of Mazi Lawson Obasi, SOBAZ. May Mazi Chiedozie Confidence Chijioke, DOZZMAN and the driver rest in eternal peace. Atani will never forget.”
Meanwhile, PETROAN National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, in a statement on the killings and abduction, affirmed: “The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at around 7 pm, when Chief Obasi Lawson’s SUV was ambushed, resulting in the death of his driver, Mr Anayo Ukwu, and his Special Assistant, Mazi Confidence Chijioke, who were with him. Meanwhile, the three policemen with them escaped.
“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.
“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.”
He urged the IG to deploy the necessary resources to rescue the abducted BoT chairman.
The National Publicity Secretary also condoled with the families of the deceased persons.
“PETROAN is urgently calling on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the search for their Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Obasi Lawson, who was attacked in Azumini community, Abia State.
“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.
“His death is a significant loss, especially since he was preparing to inaugurate his latest multimillion-naira filling station in Port Harcourt,” Obele concluded.
