Three employees of Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC were slain by gunmen on Monday while working on their plantation in Benin, Edo State.
The company’s Public Relations Officer, Fidelis Olise, confirmed the death to reporters on Tuesday, saying it was carried out by “unknown persons.”
He added that the corporation had a good relationship with the host villages in the area, but he couldn’t say whether any of them were involved in the attack.
He stated the event had been reported to the police, and an inquiry was already underway.
He said, “I can confirm to you that three of our staff members were killed by gunmen on Monday while they were working on our plantation.
“We enjoy cordial relationships with the communities around us, and we cannot say whether members of the communities were involved. However, the matter has been reported to the police, and we hope justice will be done,” he added.
He said, “I can confirm to you that three of our staff members were killed by gunmen on Monday while they were working on our plantation.
“We enjoy cordial relationships with the communities around us, and we cannot say whether members of the communities were involved. However, the matter has been reported to the police, and we hope justice will be done,” he added.
Funsho Adegboye, the state Commissioner of police, stated that extra men had been assigned to the area by the state command to prevent a repeat of the attack and that it was shocking that the gunmen were able to carry it out.
He stated that the attackers came from a bordering state and that attempts were made to apprehend and prosecute them.
He also stated that the police were working with the management of Okomu Oil to develop measures to make the environment safer for its employees at all times.
The CP said, “Preliminary findings showed that the gunmen came from the creek in a neighbouring state, which I would not like to mention. The attack is shocking.
“However, more men have been deployed to the area to forestall a repeat, while the police, in conjunction with Okomu Oil, are working to ensure that the culprits are arrested.
“We will not allow such an occurrence to happen in the state again,” the CP added.
