Residents of Onitasin Imidi in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State have raised an alarm after a tragic incident involving a herd of elephants that reportedly escaped from a state government forest reserve. The elephants are said to have attacked and killed a logger, identified as Musa Kalamu, while he was felling trees in the forest.
The disturbing development has triggered widespread concern and fear among the locals, prompting urgent calls for government intervention to prevent further tragedy.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, told ChannelsTV, “Yes, we are aware and we are already on our way to the community.”
Similarly, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, also confirmed the attack in a WhatsApp message to reporters on Tuesday. According to him, the Divisional Police Officer in Ogbere received the report from Itasin community on July 28, 2025, at about 4:20 p.m.
“Elephants escaped from the government reserve and attacked one Musa Kalamu, who died on the way to the hospital. Officers of the Ogun State Forestry Department were contacted to contain the animals and prevent further harm. Calm has returned to the community,” Ogunlowo stated.
A disturbing viral video shared online on Tuesday showed the lifeless body of the victim, identified as “Kala” by locals, bearing gruesome injuries allegedly inflicted by the elephants. Witnesses said parts of his intestines were visible following the attack.
“This is Kala, he was attacked by the elephants at Onitasin. You can see the marks of the attack all over his body with some of his intestines outside,” a distraught resident said in the video. “The government should please come to our aid. The problem with these elephants is too much in our community.”
The tragic incident has heightened calls from the affected community for swift government action to manage wildlife and protect lives in forest-bordering settlements.
