Elephant attacks community, kills man, another missing

An attack by a wild elephant on Thursday in Innayin Community near Iwere Ile, Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State has left a 45-year-old man, Ibrahim Tijani, dead and another missing.

The other person attacked by the elephant and who is missing has been identified by the community as Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin.

The spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the incident happened on Thursday at about 3:30pm, adding that police personnel, hunters, and Forest Rangers from the National Park Service have been mobilised to the scene.

Olayinka said police operatives, on arrival at the scene, discovered the lifeless body of a 45-year-old Ibrahim Tijani in a nearby bush with injuries consistent with an animal attack.

The PPRO said the remains of the deceased have been evacuated to the General Hospital, Iwere-Ile for necessary medical examination and preservation.

He said: “During ongoing search operations, another individual, identified as Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin, aged 50 years, was reported missing after an encounter with the same animal.

“Intensive efforts are currently underway to locate him.” 

Olayinka assured residents of Innayin and adjoining communities that the command had put all necessary measures in place to prevent further harm to the populace in the area.

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He urged members of the public to avoid the affected area and report any sighting of the animal to security agencies promptly.

He added: “While efforts are ongoing to secure the community, the Command emphasises the importance of handling such incidents with due regard to wildlife conservation laws.

“Relevant authorities, including the National Park Service Nigeria, are being engaged to provide expert guidance on safely managing the situation.”

According to Olayinka, the command understands the concerns the incident has generated within the community and officers are fully on ground working with relevant stakeholders to secure the area and prevent further casualties.

He said that the command’s Commissioner, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, has appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid the affected locations, and cooperate with the police and other authorities in bringing the situation under control in a safe and professional manner.

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