A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Owode Waliu Ifedolapo, has called for urgent and preventive steps following the tragic death of a 49-year-old logger, Musa Yahaya Kalamu, who was reportedly killed by a herd of elephants at Itasin Forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
Kalamu was said to have encountered the animals while working in the forest, resulting in a fatal attack that has thrown the local community into mourning and fear.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has sparked renewed concerns over recurring human-wildlife conflicts in the area, with residents lamenting the lack of effective safety mechanisms around the forest zone.
Reacting to the tragedy, Ifedolapo described the incident as deeply unfortunate and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is a painful loss, and my heart goes out to the family of the victim. While we understand the pain and confusion this incident has caused, we urge our people to remain calm. The government is being engaged to take swift and lasting action,” the lawmaker said.
He appealed to the Ogun State Government and all relevant wildlife and environmental protection agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and implement clear preventive strategies.
“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts between conservation agencies, local authorities, and the state government. Our communities should not live in fear of wildlife attacks. We must strike a balance between conservation and safety,” he added.
Hon. Ifedolapo further recommended the immediate rollout of a conservationist development plan to help manage human-wildlife interaction in forest-bordering communities.
He pledged to present the matter before the House of Assembly to ensure lasting solutions are considered and deployed to safeguard lives and property.
“This should not be allowed to happen again. We will work with all stakeholders to prevent a recurrence,” he assured.
