Tragedy struck the tranquil village of Itasin Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State on Monday, July 28, 2025, when a 50-year-old farmer lost his life to a herd of wild elephants that had wandered into the community from their natural habitat. The incident has once again highlighted the persistent danger the villagers face from these massive creatures, sparking calls for immediate government intervention before more lives are lost.

Tucked away in a forested part of the state, Itasin Imobi is both a fishing and farming settlement. While a drive from Abeokuta, the state capital, would typically take less than three hours, the journey is made difficult by the deteriorating condition of the J3 Junction–Ijebu Ode–Benin Expressway.

The community, like many others in rural Nigeria, faces significant developmental challenges — from a lack of clean water and electricity to high transportation costs for education. Parents often spend as much as ₦2,500 daily sending their children to school in Oke Igbaga. Yet, these hardships pale in comparison to the fear caused by the elephants that now roam freely.

When the Elephants Came

Residents recall first sighting the elephants in June 2018. Initially, the herd — now believed to number over 100 — peacefully roamed the village in search of food and retreated into the forest. Their majestic presence drew curious onlookers from nearby villages.

But the peaceful coexistence didn’t last. Over time, the elephants began destroying farmlands, especially cassava crops. Attempts by residents to alert authorities reportedly led to little or no meaningful response. Eventually, the animals started attacking villagers, turning the initial fascination into a source of terror and loss.

Past Attacks

Between 2023 and 2024, two villagers — Kunle Bello (known as “Eco”) and Kazeem Badmus, a chainsaw operator — suffered near-fatal injuries after being attacked in the forest. Both were left critically wounded, with only the brave intervention of local youths making their rescue possible. Despite surviving, the trauma remains.

However, the latest incident has plunged the village into deeper mourning. On July 28, 50-year-old farmer Yaya Musa, popularly known as Kalamu, was ambushed on his farm and fatally attacked. His grieving widow, Tayelolu Musa, 40, now faces the daunting task of raising their five children alone.

"Governor Dapo Abiodun, please help me," she cried, overwhelmed with grief.

“He Was Ripped Open”

Village elder Rasheed Adekunle described the tragic scene. Musa had gone to the farm with one of his children when the elephants attacked. The child ran back to alert the community, but by the time help arrived, the farmer had already been severely gored.

“The elephants used their tusks to rip his stomach open, and his intestines were spilling out. We tried to save him, but he died just five minutes after we got him back to the village,” Adekunle said, visibly shaken.

He explained that while the elephants once merely fed on fruits like bananas and sugarcane, they became destructive once they began raiding cassava farms. With Musa’s death, fear has now gripped the village again.

“Government Has Abandoned Us”

According to Adekunle, multiple reports and pleas had been made to the government, all of which yielded no tangible results. “We need the government to take these elephants away or cage them. This cannot continue,” he pleaded.

The Chief Imam of the village, Alfa Shina Arimi, echoed the frustration of residents. “Since the elephants arrived from the J4 reserve forest through Araromi seven years ago, they’ve made life unbearable. Women can no longer produce palm oil, and fishing has become dangerous. The animals chase us and destroy our tools.”

He added, “If you see what they did to our brother, you’ll understand our pain. People are afraid to farm. Hunger is already looming.”

Farmers Count Losses

Iyabo Ajayi, a 52-year-old farmer and fisherwoman, lamented the repeated destruction of her cassava farm worth nearly ₦1 million. On multiple occasions, she said, she has been chased out of the river by elephants during fishing.

Adetoun Bello also shared her ordeal, reporting the loss of cassava crops worth ₦800,000, while many others have faced similar or worse damage.

“These elephants have taken over our lives and livelihoods. We have obeyed the warnings not to harm them, yet they continue to harm us. We are begging the government to act now. People matter more than animals,” she emphasized.

Kazeem Badmus, one of the earlier victims, recalled the horror of being attacked by four elephants while cutting wood in the forest. He survived after multiple surgeries and only recently resumed work after nearly a year of recovery.

“These animals are now a serious threat to every village around. If the government keeps ignoring this, it’ll only get worse,” he said.

Community Leadership Responds

Chief Adewale Obilana, the Olisa (second-in-command to the traditional ruler), condemned the frequent elephant attacks and blamed some of the disturbance on illegal logging activities. He accused certain residents of collecting money from logging groups, whose use of chainsaw machines disturbs the animals.

“Instead of cutting and moving the wood quietly, these loggers stay in the forest, sawing planks for hours. The loud, prolonged noise drives the elephants mad,” he explained.

Chief Obilana also disputed claims that elephants had never existed in the area before 2018, stating that they were present until 1942, after which they vanished and only returned in recent years. He called for strict regulation of logging and compensation for affected residents.

Government Reacts

The Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, expressed sorrow over the incident and described the farmer’s death as tragic.

“I don’t want us to debate this while the community is still in mourning. A life has been lost, and we must now focus on finding a lasting solution,” he said, promising to meet with the villagers soon.

Mr. Simi Shonibare, the Project Coordinator of Erin Wildlife Conservation Trust, acknowledged the need to balance elephant protection with community safety. He suggested that the Itasin forest be officially declared a Wildlife Sanctuary, given the elephants’ established presence.

Proposed solutions include zoning farmlands to avoid conflict, setting up buffer areas, and using natural deterrents like bee or chilli fences. He also emphasized the importance of alternative livelihoods like beekeeping, fish farming, and sustainable forestry to discourage dangerous forest activities.

“Once we create an ecosystem where both humans and elephants can safely coexist, ecotourism can be introduced to benefit the community long-term,” Shonibare concluded.