Farmers lament as elephants destroy Borno farmlands

A herd of elephants that strayed from the neighbouring Cameroon has invaded and destroyed some community farmlands in Borno State.

The Forestry and Wild Life in Borno Ministry of Environment confirmed the incident in Maiduguri on Monday.

A Director in the Ministry, Mr. Ayuba Peter, said the incident had become perennial in the last five years in the area.

“We have been having reports of elephants destroying farmlands in Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge Local Government Areas (LGAs) for the past five years.

“They use 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,” Peter said.

He said that the menace had been reported to the Federal Government through the National Park for urgent intervention.

He said that facilities, such as guns and firecrackers, are needed to scare the elephants away.

Peter said that efforts by the ministry were being frustrated by flooding, coupled with insecurity in the border communities.

He called for concerted efforts by various stakeholders, including non- governmental organisations, to permanently arrest the menace.

He also appealed to 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, to the rampaging animals.

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He recommended the setting up of barriers, employing trained personnel to stop the elephants from encroaching on the farmlands and community awareness programmes on elephant behaviour 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 compelled to confront the elephants.

The Star