Police say six stray elephants killed farmer in Ogun

The Ogun state police command says some straying elephants have killed a farmer identified as Musa Kalamu in Itasin-Imobin community, Ijebu east LGA of Ogun state.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lanre Ogunlowo, police spokesperson in the state, said the incident occurred on Monday.

Ogunlowo said the victim died en route to the hospital after being attacked at his farm by six elephants that had escaped from a government-owned reserve.

He added that the command has notified the state ministry of forestry about the incident and that calm has been restored to the area.

“The Ogun State Police Command regrets to report a tragic incident of a fatal attack by wild animals on a local farmer within the Itasin community, under the jurisdiction of Ogbere Division,” the statement reads.

“On 28th of July, 2025 at about 1620hrs, information was received that Musa Kalamu (male), aged 50, had gone to his farm with his son, Korede Musa, when they were attacked by six stray elephants believed to have come from the Queen Elizabeth Elephant section of the government forest reserve. Mr. Kalamu sustained severe injuries and died while being rushed to the hospital.

“Detectives from Ogbere Division swiftly visited the scene and officers of the Ogun State Forestry Department were immediately contacted to contain the elephants and prevent further incidents.

“Calm has since been restored in the community. The Command sympathises with the bereaved family and urges communities near forest reserves to remain vigilant and promptly report any wildlife sighting to prevent further tragedy.”

There has been increased human-animal conflict in recent months. As farmlands expand and settlements creep closer to forest reserves, elephants and other wild animals are increasingly straying into human communities casing harm.

On Monday, one person was killed after a hippopotamus displaced by flooding invaded Banjiram community in Guyuk LGA of Adamawa state.

The hippopotamus was said to have been roaming farmlands and residential areas, destroying crops and endangering lives.