The mood at the Okumu oil palm company in Benin city, Nigeria has become gloomy after 3 workers of the company were shot dead by gunmen on monday.
The public relations officer of the company, Fidelis Olise, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that the men were working on the plantation when they were murdered by assailants who are yet to be identified.
Olise vouched for the host community whom, he said had a cordial relationship with the company hence could not see a scenario where they were behind the attack.
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He said:
“I can confirm to you that three of our staff were killed by gunmen on Monday while they were working on our plantation.
“We enjoy cordial relationship 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,”
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye expressed shock at the attack and announced measures to prevent further attacks.
He 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 is working to ensure that the culprits are arrested.
“We will not allow such an occurrence to happen in the state again,”
