Prof. Ben Ayade, the governor of Cross River State, has approved the immediate dismissal of his Special Adviser on Forest Security, Mr. Thomas Obi Tawo, aka ‘General Iron.’

Mr. Christian Ita, the Governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, revealed this in a statement made available to reporters on Friday.

Mr. Tawo was ordered by the governor to turn over all government property in his possession to the governor’s Chief of Staff.

Mr. Tawo was accused last year of orchestrating the lynching of suspected witches and wizards in the state’s Boki Local Government Area.

Mr. Tawo’s arrest and prosecution had been demanded by a group called Advocacy for Alleged Witches.

Mr. Tawo should also be fired, according to the group.

The group’s Executive Officer, Leo Igwe, said:

“The attention of AFAW has been drawn to an incident of witch persecution in Cross River State. In this case, a local mob lynched the alleged witches. Some of the victims have died while others are in the hospital nursing their wounds.

“The unfortunate incident took place in Boki LGA in Central Cross River State. At least a dozen persons, mostly women who were alleged to be witches and wizards, were set ablaze at the instance of an adviser to the state governor who hails from that area. This adviser has been identified as Thomas Obi Tawo (aka General Iron). This incident happened on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.”

Mr. Tawo was also accused of beating to pulp a former Cross River State lawmaker Mark Obi Esq. last month.

Hon. Obi was reportedly beaten by thugs led by General Iron and was rushed to the hospital by sympathisers.