“Beasts Unleashed: Elephant Assaults Rock Ogun, Villagers Cry For Help!”

The recent tragic incident in Itasin community has raised serious concerns about human-wildlife conflict and the safety of residents.

As reported, 16-year-old Musa Korede recounted, “I could hear the noise of my father and the elephant, I ran back into the village to call for help, but by the time we got back, we found him with his intestines all out, one of his legs was broken as well as bruises and cuts all over his body,” according to iReporter Online.

The community’s plight, as highlighted by iReporter Online, underscores the dangerous presence of wandering elephants that have turned from benign visitors into a menace.

Korede, the eldest child of late Musa Yahaya Kala, was with his father in the forest when the incident occurred on Monday, 28 July 2025. The 49-year-old father of five was gruesomely mauled by elephants in Itasin community, a situation that iReporter Online describes as a nightmare for residents.

While some residents identify the victim as a farmer, others say he was a logger, as per reports from iReporter Online, who detailed that the elephants came into the community seven years ago and initially appeared harmless.

According to iReporter Online, Korede recounted that the elephants attacked just as they were about to start their day’s work, prompting them to run in different directions.

He managed to find a safe hiding spot and later returned with a resident, only to find his father in a critical state.

The community’s ongoing struggle with these elephants, which now number around 100, has been ongoing since 2018, causing destruction of crops, property, and, tragically, loss of life, as iReporter Online reports.

The community has become increasingly fearful, with residents like Oluwaremi Oluwafunke, a widow, describing the attacks as unbearable.

According to iReporter Online, she detailed how her farm investments were destroyed by elephants, leaving her in despair. Similarly, Ajumosu Odunaike lamented that elephants chase farmers and women fetching firewood, making everyday activities perilous.

These incidents, as per iReporter Online, have led to several fatalities, including the recent death of Musa Kalamu.

Bello Kunle, a survivor of an attack, shared with iReporter Online that since his injury, he cannot work actively, highlighting the physical toll and economic hardship caused by these encounters. He emphasized the false narrative that elephants are peaceful, asserting that he was attacked unprovoked.

Community leaders, including High Chief Adedoyin Ajayi, have called on the government to intervene.

According to iReporter Online, Ajayi urged the relocation of the elephants, suggesting they could be moved to a zoo or protected area to restore peace.

The Ogun State government and relevant wildlife authorities have been urged to establish preventive measures, with iReporter Online emphasizing the need for a conservation plan that balances wildlife preservation with human safety.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Oludotun Taiwo, clarified that the area is a designated conservation zone, not farmland, as reported by iReporter Online.

Despite efforts to restrict human activity there, illegal logging and other activities persist, provoking elephants.

Taiwo explained that elephants are nomadic and that the forest spans over 6,000 hectares, meant strictly for conservation purposes, not habitation.

He assured that the government is committed to preventing further incidents and urged residents to adhere to regulations.

In conclusion, according to iReporter Online, the community’s situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts between conservation agencies, local authorities, and the government to ensure safety and sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”