The former Nigeria Ambassador to Zambia/Malawi, and one-time Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State, Barr. Folake-Marcus-Bello has lost oil palm plantation running into millions of naira to mysterious fire which ravaged the 10 hectares farm around Onipepeye, along Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu expressway, in Obafemi-Owode local government.
The fire incident which was said to have occurred in the early hours of last week Tuesday destroyed the 10 hectares of the farmland known as Folake B Farm, destroying over 500 palm oil trees among other farm products.
The fire disaster was said to have lasted for over four hours before it was eventually put out.
While some said that the fire might have been caused by some hunters who usually set bushes on fire during dry season to kill animals called bush meats, another source said it may be deliberate handwork of some unscrupulous elements who just want to destroy the investment of the former Ambassador.
The Manager of the farmland, Mrs Adesola Adebayo while speaking on the sad incident said she got a phone call from the villagers at about 4.30pm, informing her about the fire, and had to rush down to the scene.
Mrs Adebayo said on arrival, she and other villagers were helpless due to the veracity of the fire, which was spreading without control, adding that the prevailing harmattan equally contributed aiding the fast spread of the fire which caused serious damage to the farm.
‘I am the farmland manager, I got information at about 4:30pm from the villagers saying that fire has occurred in the farm, and had to rush down. On getting to the farmland, the fire was spreading fast and we became helpless because of the volume of the spread’, she said
‘I don’t know the cause of the fire, but maybe it was caused by hunters looking for bush meat, who might have set the bush on fire to trap the animals. One cannot also rule out activities of some unscrupulous elements who may deliberately set the farmland on fire. The harmattan further worsen the situation’, Adebayo stated
The former Nigeria Ambassador when contacted confirmed the sad development, adding that she was short of words when she heard about the development, stressing that she had committed millions of naira to the farm.
Marcus-Bello lamented the huge loss caused by the fire adding that she was looking ahead for harvest from the farm which runs into millions of naira when the disaster struck.
'‘This is disturbing and worrisome. I am short of words and it was difficult to believe, just as we are looking forward for harvest, the inferno caused havoc destroying millions of naira farm products. The larger part of the 10 hectares of the farmland has been consumed’', the former Ambassador lamented
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