Residents of Innayin Community in Oyo State were thrown into panic after a wild elephant reportedly invaded the area, killing one person and leaving another resident missing.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, the incident occurred on Thursday at about 3:30 p.m., prompting an emergency response from security operatives and local hunters. Police said officers who arrived at the scene discovered the lifeless body of a 45-year-old man identified as Ibrahim Tijani in a nearby bush. The victim was said to have sustained fatal injuries consistent with an animal attack.
Authorities also confirmed that another resident, Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin, aged 50, was declared missing after reportedly encountering the same elephant during the chaos. Search efforts were said to be ongoing as of the time of filing this report.
The remains of the deceased were evacuated to the General Hospital in Iwere-Ile for preservation and further examination.
Police Commissioner Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga appealed for calm, assuring residents that security personnel were working with relevant agencies and stakeholders to contain the situation and prevent further casualties. The command also disclosed that it had contacted the National Park Service for expert guidance in handling the elephant in line with wildlife management procedures.
The incident has renewed concerns over increasing cases of wildlife encroachment into rural communities bordering forest reserves and conservation areas.
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