Due to incessant attacks by gunmen on its facilities and personnel, the management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc, has threatened to shut down its operations.

 

This was made known by the Managing Director of the company, Dr Graham Hefer, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

 

Dr Hefer also disclosed that three of it’s workers were killed in the latest gunmen attack in Okomu, Ovia South West local government area of Edo State

 

“The female worker, who was held hostage but managed to escape unhurt said the six armed gunmen came in through the Okomu Riverside and also escaped through the same route in their motorboat.

 

He said, “This is one of the two incidences within a space of one week. Last week, armed gunmen ambushed the company’s patrol vehicle which they riddled with bullets.”

 

Hefer, who decried the worrisome worsening security situation within and outside the plantation, said if the situation continued unabated, the company’s multi- billion naira investment might shut its operations.

 

“Government has to come and take absolute control of the area overtaken by squatters who now terrorise the locality as the owner of the land.

 

“Government that is supposed to be their custodian and protect the tenants like us, absolutely has no control whatsoever. We are left to our faith.

 

“There are police personnel or soldiers and no police post at all.

 

“Yet, government needs to provide security around the plantation and the people around the communities as law abiding citizens.

 

“We have repeatedly said government should put a military base in the plantation.

 

“It’s absurd that we pay over N12 billion in taxes to government annually and still are left to fend and seek security for equipment and personnel by ourselves.

 

“”We have to fund our own security and pay more charges in taxes without commensurate service delivery. What kind of investment friendly environment are you providing?” he queried.

 

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, however, said that more men had been deployed by the state command to the area to forestall a repeat of the attack, saying it was shocking that the gunmen could carry out such attack.

 

He said that the attackers were from a neighbouring state, noting that efforts were on to arrest the culprits and bring them to book.

 

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the 4 Brigade, Captain Chinonso Oteh, who confirmed knowledge of the incidences, said” the Brigade has concluded plans on how to work with Okomu management on safety and security of the area and its operations.”