Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Suspected Fulani Herdsmen have burnt down a four acres pineapple farm in the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
The incident, which happened in Iyeku on Thursday left about 13,000 pineapple stands in ruin.
While speaking with FIJ, Adelowotan Tobiloba, the farm owner, said he was going to harvest the first batch of the pineapples in April.
“The fire was still burning when I got to the farm on Sunday. Although the incident had happened on Thursday, the villagers couldn’t inform me earlier than Friday because there was no network in the vicinity,’’ he said.
“When I complained to the king, he said such had never happened in his town and that only Fulani Herdsmen operated that way. The cows first ate the fruits, and then the herdsmen set the farm on fire.”
The four acres on which the farm was established cost N800,000, while the 13,000 pineapple crowns planted amounted to N455, 000 at N35 each. Tobiloba had also spent a lot on chemicals and labour.
“What can I do? I staked my own life and future on that farm. Now, it’s gone and no one is doing anything. People believe I’m lying,” he lamented.
Tobiloba, who spoke in tears, said many other farms were affected in the destruction, including one belonging to the king of the village.
“I’m not speaking out so that people can help me; I’m speaking out because these things happen and people don’t know,” he said. “Those herders destroyed many other farms, including that of the king. They started burning farms from Kwara State. Those people have so many guts.”
Source: F.I.J
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