A wild elephant believed to have strayed from a government-reserved forest has killed a farmer in Itasin-Imobi, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The victim, identified as Musa Kalamu, also known as Kala, was attacked on Monday while working on his farmland.
According to eyewitnesses, the elephant invaded the area and mauled the middle-aged man, who later died while being rushed to a hospital.
A video that surfaced on social media Tuesday showed scenes of the aftermath, with residents gathered around Kalamu’s lifeless body. In the footage, residents could be heard lamenting the recurring presence of the elephants while pleading with the government to take immediate action.
“This is Kala; he was attacked by the elephants at Onitasin. You can see the marks of the attack all over his body with some of his intestines out. The government should please come to our aid,” one voice in the video cried.
Residents have raised concerns about the threat posed by elephants wandering into farmlands and settlements. Many claim the animals have been damaging crops, property, and fishing gear for more than four years without adequate intervention.
“The elephant keeps coming into our community to destroy our crops, damage our fishing nets, and now it has taken a life,” a resident was heard sayin.
Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, told our Punch that the ministry was aware and already mobilising a response team to the affected area.
Oludotun said, “Yes, we are aware and we are already on our way to the community”.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, also confirmed the attack in a message to journalists.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ogbere received the report from the community around 4:20 p.m. on July 28.
“Elephants escaped from a government reserve and attacked one Musa Kalamu, who died on the way to the hospital. Officers of Ogun State Forestry were contacted to curtail the animals from further damage. Calm has returned to the community,” Ogunlowo stated.
