By FRANCIS ONOIRIBHOLO, Benin

Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc was in the early hours of Tuesday attacked by gunmen allegedly wielding AK-47 rifles, killing one of the workers, injuring many others and setting ablaze three escalators and 20 hectares of rubber plantation in the process.

The management of the company has suspended operations as a result of the attack which was described as a “terrorist attack“.

It was reliably gathered that the recent attack on the company’s personnel and its facilities may not be unconnected with the determination of the Edo state government to put an end to illegal logging by some persons who now decided to turn the heat on Okomu Oil Palm Company.

Addressing newsmen at the company’s office, the company’s Communications Officer, Mr Fidelis Oliseh who spoke on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr Graham Hefer said the gunmen numbering six, stormed the plantation with AK-47 rifles and shot at one of their workers at close range and he died in the spot.

“For now, we are forced to shut down our operations to save lives from possible reprisal. We are already working with security agencies. For now, the army has taken over the security of the plantation.

According to Olise, who spoke at the company headquarters in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, “the company will remain closed until the security situation improves

“The Tuesday invasion of the company that led to the death of an employee, setting ablaze three escalators and 20 hectares of the rubber plantation is a terrorist attack”.

“After the gunmen numbering about six had killed an unarmed excavator operator, they threw his body into the trench before setting alight three of the company’s excavators.

“We believe these gunmen are terrorists fighting a political war, these are not herdsmen but terrorists who came into the plantation through the waterway and carried out a well-coordinated attack, wielding AK 47.

“These terrorists were real professionals with the way and manner they operated, ambushing our workers with no resistance.

“We believe that this attack is politically motivated to create fears in our people who are peaceful and loyal subjects of the state government and the Benin Kingdom.

“This terrorist attack is not good for business, it’s not good for Edo people and obviously not good for the Nigerian environment and its economy.

“It will cost the company about 5,000 dollars to replant a hectare, meaning that we will require about 100,000 dollars (N50 million) to replant the entire 20 hectares and bring it up to its present years of maturity over the next seven years.

“For now, we are forced to shut down our operations to save lives from possible reprisal. We are already working with security agencies. For now, the army has taken over the security of the plantation

“The company will remain closed until the security situation improves,” he said.

Mr Philip Ogbadu, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command when contacted in a telephone interview confirmed the incident, saying that a team of policemen has already been sent to the area to work with other security operatives stationed there.

Ogbadu also said a gunboat had been stationed on the Okomu riverside, while the investigation into the incident was already on. (Daily Independent)

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