A suspected mob leader, Thomas Obi Tawo aka ‘General Iron’ has been shot dead in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

It was gathered that Tawo died during a gun duel with vigilantes in his community on Thursday.

Although there was no official confirmation at the time of this report, a source in the community said, “I can confirm to you that ‘General Iron’ has been killed. He died today during a gun battle in the bush with vigilante groups in the community.”

The source said soldiers deployed to the community after ‘General Iron’ almost killed a PDP chieftain, Mark Obi, in the community recently had been withdrawn after Tawo went into hiding.

‘General Iron’ who was the Special Adviser Forest Security to Governor Ben Ayade and his boys allegedly terrorised the community and was relieved of his appointment after the attack on the PDP leader who was also Ayade’s former side and former member of the state House of Assembly.

Last year, he was accused of leading a mob which burnt elderly people suspected to be witches in the community, an allegation he denied.

The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, did not take her call late Thursday evening when contacted. (The PUNCH)