Economic Sabotage: Arsonists set ex-President Obasanjo’s farm ablaze

*The fire was caused by the deliberate act of mischief makers, because the way that farm is safeguarded, Chairman of Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State of Nigeria reportedly says

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of prevalent insecurity of lives and property in several parts of Nigeria in recent times, suspected arsonists have set former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s farm ablaze.

It was gathered the Mango farmland was located at Howe, Gwer Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

Mango farm (for illustration)

Over half of the farmland, which is over 139 hectares of land, has been razed, report said.

Emmanuel Otserga, Chairman of the Gwer LGA, the council received report about the incident at about 2p.m. Saturday, January 29, 2022.

The Chairman stated: “We received a report, that Obasanjo’s Mango farm located at Howe was on fire, and I quickly informed all the stakeholders, including traditional rulers.

“We swiftly moved there even the Fire Service also came but by the time we would put out the fire, over half of the farm was already razed.”

Otserga also said: “However, from the look of things, the fire was caused by the deliberate act of mischief makers, because the way that farm is safeguarded, there is no way fire can cross over from any quarter into the farm.”

According to the Chairman, stakeholders’ meeting was subsequently convened in the area to unravel the mystery surrounding fire in the farm.

Donald Ikyaaza, Director of Benue State Fire Service, also said that as soon as the news of the fire incident reached him, he deployed his men to the area to put out the fire and prevent it from causing further damage.