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By Akpan David, Calabar
The younger brother to retired Major General Moses Obi, the former commander of the United Nations peace mission in the Horn of Africa, Chief Mark Obi has been severally macheted by a marauding terror group in Cross River State.
The terror group is reported to be led by a dreaded gangster popularly called General Iron, 38 year old Thomas Obi Tawo, a special adviser to Governor Ben Ayade.
General Iron is also reported to have burnt six senior citizens alive in a community in Boki LGA bof the state over allegation of witchery, making entire community and environs to dread him.
Iron is reported to have invaded the country home of Chief Mark Obi, a former assembly member and also special adviser on administration to Gov Ayade who refused to defect with the governor to the All Progressives Congress, yesterday at 10pm with his gang where he is said to have manhandled the 62 year old politician, lawyer and businessman.
Obi is reported to have been thoroughly beaten to stupor and stabbed all over while his home was destroyed by the Iron gang.
Another of Mark’s elder brother, Emmanuel Obi confirmed the incident, saying his brother came in from Calabar where he is based, and there was no immediate help.
Findings show that, Iron whom Ayade appointed special adviser in charge of forests security sees Obi as a threat to owning the community oil palm estate, and unhappy that he is not with the Governor, according to Paul Bessong, a community chief.
Hear Emmanuel:
“My brother was attacked in his own home at about 10pm by Thomas Obi Tawo who is popularly known as ‘General Iron’. Iron is less than 40.
“He came with boys, armed with machetes, and invaded my brother’s private home, destroying it. My brother was alone having visited from Calabar where he runs his businesses as a lawyer.
“After beating him to stupor, they still went ahead to stab him several times on his body, head and arms with machetes. Thinking he has died, they abandoned him.”
Villagers later assisted to evacuate Obi to a local hospital but the doctor who helped to revive him advised that he be moved immediately to a bigger hospital in Ikom the same night.
A youth close to the General, Obi Michael said their boss is not a terror.
Paramount ruler of Boki LGA, HRH Atta Otu Fredaline said the was yet to be briefed about the incident but that he is going to intervene.
