Suspected arsonists have set former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s farm in Howe, Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State ablaze.
It was gathered that over half of the mango farm, which is over 139 hectres of land, has been razed.
According to the Chairman of the Gwer LGA, Emmanuel Otserga, the council received report about the incident at about 2pm on Saturday.
Otserga was quoted as saying that, “We received a report that the Obasanjo mango farm located at Howe was on fire and I quickly informed all the stakeholders, including traditional rulers and we swiftly moved there even the Fire Service also came but by the time we will put out the fire, over half of the farm was already razed.
“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.”
He said stakeholders’ meeting was convened in the area to unravel the mystery surrounding fire in the farm.
Director, Benue State Fire Service, Donald Ikyaaza said 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.
