Okomu Oil Palm Company located in Edo State, has suspended operations, the firm disclosed on Thursday.
Managing Director, Dr Graham Hefer, who made the disclosure in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, said the development followed an attack on the firm on Tuesday.
Hefer, who described the invasion as a “terrorist attack”, said one of the company’s employee was killed, while about 20 hectares of rubber plantation were razed. This was in addition to the vandalisation of its equipment.
Explaining the incident, the Company Communications Officer, Fidelis Olise, said about six gunmen had invaded the facility on Tuesday and killed an unarmed excavator operator, threw his body into the trench, before setting alight three of the company’s excavators.
“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.
“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.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu, who confirmed the incident, said adequate security has been put in place to prevent further attacks.
He said a gunboat had been stationed on the Okomu riverside, while investigation into the incident Is ongoing.
