Former President Olusegun Obasanjo's orchard farm in Howe community, Gwer East Local Government Area, Benue state, has been burned down by suspected hoodlums.
The incident occurred on Saturday, Jan. 29, when the farm's manager, Zubello Muhamed, was travelling out of the area for an official assignment, according to Muhamed.
Residents allege the fire was sparked as a result of arguments with the villagers over compensation for a piece of land that had previously belonged to the state government.
Mr Emmanuel Ortsega, Chairman of Gwer East Local Government, confirmed the occurrence and stated that it was purposeful sabotage by hoodlums.
He stated: "Hoodlums ignited the fire on the farm around 2 p.m. on Saturday, and nearly half of it is gone. It was unmistakably a sabotage.
"It was surprising that a fire broke out in the farm because it was fully secured, thus it was evident that it was sabotage.
"We convened a conference of stakeholders and leaders in order to apprehend the criminals, and by the grace of God, we have already detained four people, and the investigation is still underway to catch other culprits."
Mr Donald Ikyaaza, Director of the State Fire Service, told Vanguard that his office received a call from the police Saturday afternoon and effectively extinguished the fire late Saturday night.