were destroyed when gunmen suspected to be from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State invaded the facilities of the controversial Orient Petroleum Resources at Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The three dead persons were staff of the oil company, while several others injured in attack are receiving treatment in hospitals.
Orient Petroleum, commissioned by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, had been in dispute between the neighbouring communities in Kogi and Anambra states, with both sides laying claims to ownership of the oil rich land.
The armed men said to number about 200, according to an eye witness, stormed the petroleum facility at about noon, taking the workers and security men attached to the facility unawares.
They were said to have assaulted every person in sight, while the entire offices, operational and personal vehicles, buildings, generating sets and other official and private properties in the premises of the petroleum company were destroyed.
The eyewitness said the surprising thing was that the large number of security operatives permanently stationed at the refinery, were not present at the time of the attack..