The Forestry and Wild Life in Borno Ministry of Environment said a group of elephants that came from nearby Cameroon has entered and destroyed some community farmlands in the state.
A Director in the ministry, Ayuba Peter, confirmed this in an interview with reporters in Maiduguri on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Peter said this has been happening every year in the area for the last five years.
“We have been having reports of elephants destroying farmlands in Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge Local Government Areas for the past five years,” he said
“They used to come from a forest reserve in the neighbouring Cameroon Republic at this time and roam around, causing serious destruction to farmlands until flood water recedes around December.”
He also said that this problem had been reported to the Federal Government through the National Park for urgent help.
He said that things like guns and firecrackers are needed to scare the elephants away.
Peter said that the ministry’s efforts were being stopped by flooding and insecurity in the border communities.
He called for everyone to work together, including non-governmental organizations, to permanently stop this problem.
He also asked the government at all levels to give financial support to the farmers whose farmlands were destroyed.
In a letter to Governor Babagana Zulum, a community leader, Baba Hassan from Ngala, called for urgent measures to address the problem.
Hassan expressed worry that farmers in the community suffered huge losses, worth millions of naira, because of the rampaging animals.
“The recent invasion of the farmlands by elephants has resulted in the destruction of vast hectares of crops that the owners rely on for their livelihood,” he said.
“Imagine the despair and hopelessness these people are going through as their farms are trampled and devoured by these destructive creatures
“Government must intervene to permanently put an end to the menace, which threatens food security and the economy of these communities.
“In the midst of already challenging times, marked by hardship, high cost of living, and soaring food prices, this unfortunate incident has exacerbated the difficulties faced by the vulnerable members of our communities.”
He recommended setting up barriers, employing trained personnel to stop the elephants from entering the farmlands and community awareness programs on elephant behavior and habitat protection.
Other affected farmers, including Bunu Modu and Musa Ali of Gamboru/Ngala LGA, described the recurring invasion of their farms as frustrating.
Also, Allamin Hassan and Hala Idris, said they lost so much in their farms to the attack and appealed to the State and Federal Governments to take urgent measures to end the phenomenon.
According to them, something has to be done quickly before farmers would be forced to confront the elephants.
