One Dead, Another Missing As Wild Elephant Invades Oyo Community

 

Residents of Innayin Community in Oyo State were thrown into panic on Thursday following the invasion of the area by a wild elephant, an incident that has left one person dead and another missing.

The incident, which occurred at about 3:30 p.m., threw the community into panic following the sudden appearance of the animal.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said security operatives swiftly responded to a distress call from residents.

According to him, police personnel, working alongside local hunters and vigilantes, arrived at the scene and discovered the lifeless body of a 45-year-old man, identified as Ibrahim Tijani, in a nearby bush.

He noted that the victim’s body bore marks consistent with an attack by a wild animal and had since been evacuated to the General Hospital in Iwere-Ile for further examination and preservation.

Olayinka added that another resident, Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin, aged 50, was declared missing after reportedly encountering the same elephant.

He said ongoing search efforts had been intensified to locate the missing individual.

The police spokesman further disclosed that additional operatives had been deployed to the area in collaboration with local security groups to contain the situation and avert further casualties.

Residents of Innayin and surrounding communities were advised to remain calm, steer clear of the affected locations, and promptly report any sighting of the animal to authorities.

Olayinka stressed that the situation would be handled with due consideration for wildlife protection regulations, noting that relevant agencies, including the National Park Service, had been contacted for expert intervention.

Also reacting, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abimbola Olugbenga, assured residents that adequate measures were being taken to safeguard lives and property.

He urged members of the community to cooperate with security agencies as efforts continued to bring the situation under control.

The police command commended residents for their support and called for sustained collaboration to ensure public safety.