Elephant kills farmer in Ogun, hippo claims life in Adamawa

Summary

• A tragic incident occurred in Imobi, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State on 29th July 2025, where a farmer named Musa Kalamu (Kala) was killed by a wandering elephant that had strayed from a government-reserved forest
• This fatality follows another recent human-wildlife conflict on 28th July 2025, in Banjiram, Adamawa State, where a young man was killed by a hippopotamus displaced by flooding
• These incidents underscore a growing concern about human-wildlife conflict in Nigeria, driven by environmental factors like flooding and human encroachment on natural habitats
• Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, has confirmed the elephant attack, while local authorities in Adamawa have sought government intervention to address the threat posed by displaced wildlife

Imobi/Banjiram, Nigeria – Nigeria may be currently facing a worrying surge in human-wildlife conflict, evidenced by two recent fatal incidents involving displaced animals. On Tuesday, 29th July 2025, a farmer identified as Musa Kalamu, also known as Kala, was tragically killed by a wandering elephant in Imobi, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The elephant, reportedly strayed from a government-reserved forest, attacked Kalamu on his farmland, inflicting severe injuries, including visible marks and exposed intestines, as confirmed by eyewitnesses and disturbing viral video footage.

Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, confirmed the tragic incident and stated that officials were already en route to the community to assess the situation and implement measures to prevent further damage. Residents expressed grave concerns about the recurring elephant invasions, pleading with the government to take decisive action to protect their farmlands and settlements.

While unverified reports suggest the farmer might have been engaged in illegal logging, the immediate focus remains on the escalating threat posed by these animals.

Just a day prior, on Monday, 28 July 2025, a similar tragedy unfolded in Banjiram, Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State. A young man lost his life due to an attack by a hippopotamus. The incident was attributed to flooding near the Kiri Dam, which forced the hippos out of their natural habitat and into populated areas, where they have been destroying farmlands and posing a direct threat to residents.

The Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, Shalom Kassa, confirmed the incident and has appealed for government intervention to address this pressing human-wildlife conflict.

These unfortunate events highlight a critical and growing issue in Nigeria: the increasing frequency of human-wildlife conflicts. The displacement of animals from their natural habitats is largely driven by environmental factors such as severe flooding and relentless human encroachment into reserved forest areas.

In Ogun State, the Omo Forest Reserve, home to approximately 45 elephants, has a history of such conflicts, with elephants occasionally invading farmlands and causing significant economic losses to farmers.

While conservation efforts are underway, including a proposed wildlife sanctuary by the Africa Nature Investors Foundation and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, persistent challenges like illegal settlements and economic pressures continue to complicate mitigation efforts.

The recent fatalities in both Ogun and Adamawa serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to manage human-wildlife interactions, protect both human lives and wildlife, and ensure ecological balance in Nigeria.