The Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN), Ogun State Chapter, has expressed great concern about the 49-year-old Musa Kalamu, who was killed in a tragic encounter with an elephant at the Imobi/Itasin axis of the Ogun State Forest Reserve. This was contained in a statement made available by the Chairman of the association, Otunba Jide Fakayode.
Otunba Fakayode described the incident as “most unfortunate” and expressed deep concerns over the death while calling for decisive actions to prevent a reoccurrence in the future through concerted efforts to protect both humans and animals. He emphasised that all human activities which could provoke human-animal conflict should be curtailed. He warned: “Such activities continue to threaten the integrity of our conservation efforts and provoke adverse wildlife reactions.”
Speaking on the possible causes of the incident, the Chairman noted that persistent illegal logging, farming, and human intrusion into wildlife territories often cause distress and disorientation in elephants. He further stated that poaching, pressure and disturbance of the animals’ home range through habitat fragmentation and noise pollution from power saw machines can disrupt the ecological balance, prompting elephants to roam beyond their traditional range in search of safety.
On preventive measures, Otunba Fakayode outlined a multi-pronged approach to ensure safety for both wildlife and local communities, calling on the state government to rise up to do the needful towards protecting the remnants of the forest reserves in Ogun State. These, according to him include enhanced forest surveillance with forest guards and drones, intensive community sensitization on the dangers of encroachment, and strengthened collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and local leaders. “All illegal operators apprehended within the protected areas should be prosecuted in accordance with the forestry and wildlife laws of Ogun State,” he stated.
FAN also urged the government, through the Ministry of Forestry, to protect the elephants’ home range by rehabilitating degraded forests, re-establishing buffer belts with non-palatable plant species, and maintaining wildlife corridors to ensure connectivity between fragmented habitats. The statement read: “These measures will not only safeguard the elephants but also prevent their range expansion into human settlements.”
The Association further called on all forest users, host communities, and stakeholders to support ongoing conservation efforts by refraining from illegal activities and reporting any suspicious operations within the forest reserves while charging the Ogun State Government to step up actions towards protecting the forests and preventing a re-occurrence. “Together, we can foster a harmonious coexistence between man and nature,” Otunba Fakayode concluded.
This incident adds to a growing concern about human–elephant conflicts in the region.
It would be recalled that Itasin–Imobi area has witnessed two similar concerning episodes between 2023 and 2024, prompting the Ogun State Government to issue repeated warnings against encroachment into conservation zones.
The Ministry of Forestry has reiterated its resolve to protect both residents and wildlife, insisting that conservation areas are not to be converted into farmlands or settlements.
The experts agree that the long-term solution lies in decisive enforcement of forest protection laws, restoration of degraded habitats, and active community participation in conservation programmes.
With sustained government action and grassroots cooperation, the tragic loss at Imobi/Itasin could serve as a turning point in managing human–wildlife interactions in Ogun State.
