Roaming elephants from one of the government-reserved forests have attacked and killed a farmer, Musa Kalamu, at Itasin-Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Tension rose in Itasin, as enraged residents vowed to hunt down and kill the wild elephants.
Eyewitnesses said that the elephant invaded Kalamu’s farm, where it gruesomely attacked him, leading to his death on Monday, July 28.
Two other residents were also reportedly injured in the latest of several human-elephant encounters in the area.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the state Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, said: “Yes, we are aware, and we are already on our way to the community.”
Also confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, said: “The DPO Ogbere received information from the Itasin community on 28/07/2025 at about 1620hrs that elephants escaped from government reserve and attacked one Musa Kalamu, who died on the way to the hospital.
According to him, officers of the Ogun State Forestry were contacted to curtail the animals from further damage, and calm has returned to the community.
However, angry residents said the wild elephants, believed to have migrated into the village about eight years ago, have continued to destroy farmlands, threatened lives, and crippled local agriculture—despite multiple complaints to government authorities.
One of the residents, Iyabo Ajayi, while reacting to a visit by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Forestry, Bola Badejo, expressed the community’s deep frustration.
“The government has been warning us not to touch them. But these elephants are destroying our farms, attacking our people. Two people were injured and now one of us is dead. If this persists, we will kill them,” she threatened.
According to her, several incidents involving the elephants have occurred in recent years, with some residents forced to raise funds to treat the wounded through surgery.
She lamented that despite promises from the government since 2018 to find a lasting solution, nothing tangible has been done.
“How do we survive here without farming? There is no industry, no company. These elephants have eaten our crops. We now farm close to our huts but they still come after us. And the government says we shouldn’t enter the forest,” she said bitterly.
A.resident, Mrs. Agbolade, called on the state government to take responsibility for the children of the deceased farmer.
“Yaya left behind five or six children, all between ages four and five. We want the government to sponsor their education,” she appealed.
Responding during his condolence visit, Governor Abiodun’s aide, Badejo, urged the villagers to remain calm and assured them of government intervention.
“The government cannot hear about this kind of tragedy and not respond. That is why I am here,” he said.
Reacting to allegations that the elephants were deliberately kept in the area by the government, Badejo clarified, “The wild animals were not introduced by the government. They are protected species, and the state is obligated to manage the situation without endangering them or the people.”
He warned residents against taking the law into their hands and pledged that the government would investigate the incident and support the affected family.
