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.

The Public Relations Officer of the 4 Brigade. Capt. 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.

(NAN)