By Sunday Iduh
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has ordered probe over the fire that gutted former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s (OBJ’s) mango farm in Howe, Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nathaniel Ikyur, in a statement on Tuesday disclosed that Governor Ortom has ordered a full scale investigation into the incident to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the fire outbreak.
The statement read in part: “receiving the report of the incident from the Chairman of Gwer Local Government Council, Mr Emmanuel Otserga, Governor Ortom stated that where it is discovered that the fire was an act of sabotage, the perpetrators must be brought to book.
“He insisted that no act of sabotage will be tolerated, saying that his government has a deliberate policy to encourage local and foreign investors especially in agriculture.
“The governor therefore, tasked security operatives in the state to do all that is necessary, to get to the root of the matter forthwith.
“It is the height of irresponsibility for anyone to think of setting ablaze a farm that is set to, in a very near future, boost the economic development of the area in particular and state in general.
“Obasanjo as a former president is a statesman and need to be accorded his due respect anywhere in Nigeria and Benue state cannot be an exception.
“He then directed the Benue State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the perpetrators are fished out immediately and brought to book.”
According to the statement, “the Chairman of Gwer Local Government, Mr Otserga had informed the governor that over half of the mango farm, covering over 139 hectares of land got razed and four suspects have been arrested and more are being trailed to be apprehended.”
Otserga said he suspected foul play because “from the look of things, the fire was caused by the deliberate act of mischief makers. The farm is well safeguarded, there is no way fire can cross over from any quarter into the farm.”
“Director of the State Fire Service, Mr Donald Ikyaaza also alleged that the fire was caused by sabotage,” the statement added.