By FRANCIS ONOIRIBHOLO, Benin

A Police officer and a driver attached to a private security company rendering service to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc escaped death by whiskers and are now in critical condition in a hospital after they were attacked by gunmen who allegedly invaded the company’s rubber plantation to steal latex.

Reports had it that the victims were on their routine patrol around the company’s rubber plantation when they ran into the hoodlums.

It was revealed that the police man with the counter terrorism unit (CTU) of the Nigeria police but attached to the oil palm company was on his daily patrol within the Plantation with the driver to check on his colleagues when they were accosted by the armed men numbering over fifteen (15), who apparently came to steal latex from the plantation.

According to the report, as soon as the gunmen saw the security personnel they opened fire, and attempts by the police officer to reply proved abortive as they were overpowered due to their large number.

It was also gathered that as the police officer and the driver were trying to beat a retreat to get reinforcement, the gunmen who had strategically positioned themselves inside the plantation ambushed them.

In the ensuing gunfire, the CTU officer and the driver sustained various degrees of injuries in the head and eye respectively with their vehicle riddled with bullets.

It was further learnt that the shooting attracted men of the Nigerian Military whose location was close by to chase the armed men who took to their heels, leaving behind the latex they had collected which weighed 1,460kg.

Confirming the incident, the Communication Officer, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Fidelis Olise, said the incessant attack on the company by hoodlums whilst trying to steal the company’s product was a threat to investments as no investor would put his money in an environment repleted with such incessants attacks.

He pointed out that these frequent attacks might compel the company to take further security measures to safeguard the company’s personnel and property.

He recalled that attacks on Okomu plantation by armed men have become an all too familiar feature with two security personnel killed last year following similar attack by gunmen in their despirate attempt to steal the company’s product.

Olise however appealed to the Government to beef up security in the area as it is becoming increasingly difficult for the workers to go about their duties without fear of being attacked by armed bandits. (Sunday Independent)

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