In the last 48 hours a strange bush fire has torn through farmlands and plantations in no fewer than four Delta communities in Aniocha South local government destroying farms and economic crops. Mostly affected are Ubulu-Uku, Ubulu-Unor, part of Ogwashi Uku and Ashama.

Witnesses told Political Economist that the fire had defied local efforts of the affected communities who have sent SOS to the government.

Source of the fierce fire is unknown but local hunters said it may be the handiwork of Fulani cattle herders who usually set portions of the bushes on fire in hope that new and fresh grasses may sprout for their cattle.

“We do not know the source of this fire but some of us suspect that the cattle herders who have occupied some parts of these communities may have set the bush on fire as they always do. We have seen cattle herders in these areas set fire in these bushes. They do so to allow new crops and grass to grow for their cattle. That has been the practice in the bushes here but such fire usually do not burn for a whole day. This one is different but I think it is helped by the harmattan,” said a hunter simply identified as Nwafor.

Several farmlands and farm produce had been destroyed by the raging inferno. One of the victims of the fire is a retired Director of DSS, Mr Mike Ejiofor, whose palm tree plantation and over 120 beehives were destroyed by the fire.

Ejiofor owns an integrated farm in the affected axis where grasscutter were raised, honey produced in addition to other farm produce. He said: “In all situations, let us give thanks to God…He giveth and He taketh. It could have been worse,” he said.

Our reporter learnt that senior functionaries within Delta State government had been notified. It was not immediately known what actions the state government had taken to contain the fire.