A herd of elephants that strayed from neighboring Cameroon has invaded Borno State, destroying farmlands in several communities.
The Forestry and Wildlife Ministry confirmed the incident, stating that it has become a recurring problem in the last five years.
The elephants, which come from a forest reserve in Cameroon, have been causing significant destruction to farmlands in Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge Local Government Areas. The ministry has reported the issue to the Federal Government and is seeking urgent intervention to address the problem.
Efforts to scare the elephants away have been hindered by flooding and insecurity in the border communities. The ministry is calling for concerted efforts from stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, to permanently address the issue.
Farmers in the affected communities have suffered huge losses, worth millions of naira, and are appealing to the government for financial support.
Community leaders are also calling for measures to be taken to prevent the elephants from encroaching on farmlands and to protect the livelihoods of the farmers.
Punch
