Deep in the farmlands of Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria, lies the quiet community of Itasin-Imobi, a settlement surrounded by dense forest and winding dirt roads, according to Punch. For generations, its people have lived off the land through farming and fishing, their livelihoods tied to the rhythm of the seasons. But beginning in 2018, their peaceful coexistence with nature changed forever.
In March 2018, villagers sighted elephants wandering near their crops for the first time in living memory. For the community’s elders, the moment revived ancient stories told by their forefathers about elephants that once roamed these forests freely. Residents gathered to watch as the giants moved gracefully through the fields; some even sang songs, delighted by the spectacle. But what began as wonder soon turned into worry.
Human-Wildlife Conflict in Nigeria
Within months, the elephants began feeding on farmlands, uprooting cassava, pawpaw, and plantain. The destruction of crops pushed many families deeper into debt. Out of desperation, some farmers attempted to scare the animals away by throwing stones or using firecrackers, small acts of defense that, over time, ignited a dangerous cycle of hostility.
By 2023, several villagers had been attacked while working on their farms. One survivor sustained deep wounds to his legs and chest after an elephant charged unexpectedly. According to Mongabay, another farmer was severely injured in 2024 when four elephants surrounded his work area, leaving him hospitalized for seven months. These repeated incidents sowed fear across the community.
Then, on July 28, 2025, tragedy struck again. Fifty-year-old farmer and logger Yaya Musa, known locally as Kala, was fatally attacked while tending his field. His death marked the third major elephant-related incident in just two years, shattering the community’s sense of safety.
After the attack, government officials claimed the site lay within a designated wildlife reserve, urging locals to avoid the area. Yet, villagers dispute this, insisting that their farmlands have long predated any reserve boundary and that no public consultation or compensation has ever taken place.
“Our people have farmed here for centuries,” in fact, “It is these elephants that ended my career as a farmer,” said one farmer. A local leader also said. “We were never told our forest had become a reserve.”
A Troubled, Neglected Community
Beyond the conflict with elephants, Itasin-Imobi faces chronic neglect — no electricity for over 14 years, deteriorating roads that become impassable in the rains, and a health center too poorly equipped to handle emergencies. When tragedy strikes, help often comes too late.
The story of Itasin-Imobi reveals the complex intersection of conservation, poverty, and human survival. While protecting endangered wildlife remains vital, meaningful solutions must include the voices and livelihoods of those who share the same land.
Without balance, the return of nature’s giants may continue to bring both awe and anguish to the people who live beneath their towering shadows.
Photo by Aishah Rahman on Unsplash
