Categories: Benue news

Herdsmen set ablaze Gov. Ortom’s rice farm

Over 20,000 hectares of rice farm belonging to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom have been set ablaze by suspected herdsmen in Tse-Adorogo, Mbabeagh, Nzorov, Guma Local Government Area.

In a telephone interview with newsmen, the governor said he had not harvested his rice farm, which is incorporated under Oracle Business Limited, before the suspected herdsmen set it ablaze.

Oracle Farms, which started when the governor was the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, is into massive rice and soybeans cultivation.

It was learnt that this was the fourth time Ortom’s farms had been attacked.

When he was Minister of State in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, suspected herdsmen attacked his Oracle Farm on Naka Road at gunpoint and stole 30 cows.

The herdsmen struck again in 2014 at his Tse-Adorogo, Mbabeagh country home and set his rice farm and house ablaze.

When he became governor in 2015, herdsmen again set ablaze his rice farm in 2016 and 2017.

The governor expressed concern that herdsmen again destroyed crops in the state.

He reiterated his called for ranching of animals, saying there is no more land for anyone to feed their cattle in the name of grazing.

“I said ranching is the international best practice for animal husbandry. But if anyone has an alternative method, let him bring it to the table,” he said.

Ortom urged youths not to take the law into their hands but report to security agencies if any cattle encroached on farm lands in any part of the state.

The governor revealed that he would officially visit the rice farm on Tuesday to assess the damage done to it.

(Credit: The Nation)

Ben Idah

Recent Posts

Soaring rice prices threaten Christmas celebrations for Nigerian families

Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…

1 day ago

Panic as Stage collapses during Odumodublvck’s performance at Lagos concert

Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…

1 day ago

2025 Budget: FG allocates ₦6.36bn for renovation of Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…

1 day ago

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd December 2024

The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…

1 day ago

NNPC debunks shutdown rumors, confirms fuel loading at Port Harcourt Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…

1 day ago

‘We have to find a way’ – Guardiola laments after defeat to Aston Villa

Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…

1 day ago