Elephants Invade Farm Lands in Borno, Nigeria: Farmers Demand Intervention
A herd of elephants, allegedly strayed from neighboring Cameroon, has destroyed community farmlands in Borno, Nigeria. The Forestry and Wildlife in Borno Ministry of Environment confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Director Ayuba Peter revealed that the elephants have been recurring visitors to the area for the past five years, causing significant destruction to farmlands in Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge Local Government Areas. According to Mr. Peter, the animals roam freely from a nearby forest reserve in Cameroon Republic until floodwaters recede around December.
The destruction has resulted in huge losses for farmers, with some communities suffering losses worth millions of naira. Baba Hassan, a community leader from Ngala, urged urgent measures to address the issue, stating that the community is struggling to cope with the loss of their crops.
Mr. Hassan and other affected farmers appealed to the State and Federal Governments to provide financial support and take urgent measures to put an end to the elephant invasions. They called for the setting up of barriers, employing trained personnel to stop the elephants from encroaching on the farmlands, and community awareness programs on elephant behavior and habitat protection.
The situation has left many farmers frustrated and desperate for a solution. "Government must intervene to permanently put an end to the menace, which threatens food security and the economy of these communities," Mr. Hassan said.
The Forestry and Wildlife in Borno Ministry of Environment has reported the issue to the Federal Government through the National Park for urgent intervention. However, efforts to address the issue have been hindered by flooding and insecurity in the border communities.
The conflict between humans and elephants in Borno highlights the urgent need for a coordinated approach to address the issue and protect both human and wildlife interests.
