Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A full‑grown elephant stormed into the quiet farming community of Innayin in Oyo State on Thursday afternoon, trampling a 45‑year‑old man to death and leaving a second man missing in a rare but terrifying human‑wildlife conflict that has forced the Oyo State Police Command to mobilise hunters and vigilantes in a search operation. According to a press release issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on April 23, 2026, when the animal broke into the community, sending residents fleeing for their lives. Police operatives, alerted by a distress call, rushed to the scene together with local vigilantes and hunters. On arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of one Ibrahim Tijani, aged 45, lying in a nearby bush with injuries consistent with an animal attack. His remains have been evacuated to the General Hospital in Iwere‑Ile for a post‑mortem examination.
The operation to secure the area and locate the animal was still ongoing when officers received reports that a second resident, Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin, 50, had also encountered the elephant and had gone missing. As of Thursday evening, intensive search efforts were underway, but Bingin had not been found. The police have cordoned off the affected area and warned residents to stay away, while also engaging the National Park Service for expert guidance on how to safely manage the animal. The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, who personally monitored the response, assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent further casualties and that the situation is being closely managed.
The invasion of Innayin community is a stark reminder of the growing conflict between humans and wildlife in parts of Oyo State, particularly in areas located near forest reserves and national parks. Elephants, which are protected under Nigerian wildlife laws, have occasionally wandered out of their natural habitats due to habitat loss, shrinking water sources, or the search for food. In some cases, isolated bull elephants, driven out of their herds, have roamed through farmlands and villages, causing destruction and, in rare instances, fatalities. Thursday’s attack, however, marks one of the deadliest such incidents in the state in recent memory. Local residents described scenes of panic as the enormous animal tore through the community, crushing fences and overturning makeshift stalls.
The Oyo State Police Command has urged residents of Innayin and neighbouring communities to remain calm and avoid the affected area. They have also called on the public to report any sighting of the elephant to security agencies immediately, rather than attempting to confront it. “We understand the concerns this incident has generated within the community,” CP Olugbenga said in the statement. “Our officers are fully on ground working with relevant stakeholders to secure the area and prevent further casualties. We appeal to residents to remain calm, avoid the affected locations, and continue to cooperate with the police and other authorities as we work to bring the situation under control in a safe and professional manner.” The command emphasised that while protecting human life is the highest priority, the situation must also be handled with due regard to wildlife conservation laws, which is why the National Park Service has been called in.
Wildlife experts consulted by this reporter explained that elephants, when stressed or injured, can become highly aggressive and unpredictable. A single adult elephant can weigh up to six tonnes and can run faster than a human, making any direct confrontation extremely dangerous. “The safest approach is to give the animal a wide berth and allow trained professionals to track and tranquillise it or guide it back to a safe zone,” said a conservation officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Oyo State Police Command has not indicated whether they plan to kill the animal or attempt a non‑lethal capture, but the deployment of hunters suggests that lethal force may be considered if the elephant poses an imminent threat.
The death of Ibrahim Tijani and the disappearance of Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin have cast a pall over Innayin. A family member of the deceased told local reporters that Tijani was returning from his farm when he accidentally crossed paths with the elephant. He reportedly tried to run, but the animal caught up with him before he could reach a safe building. “He was a hardworking man. He leaves behind a wife and six children. This should never have happened,” the relative said. As for the missing Alhaji Bingin, his family has been waiting by the mobile phone, hoping for news.
The Oyo State Government has not yet issued a separate statement on the incident, but the Commissioner of Police has assured that the situation is being managed and that emergency services are on high alert. The command has released emergency contact numbers: the Oyo State Call Response Center (toll‑free line 615) and the Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413. The public is advised to use these numbers to report any sightings or emergencies.
As night fell over Innayin, the search for the elephant and the missing man continued under torchlight. Hunters and police officers combed the bush, while residents huddled indoors, too frightened to venture out. The incident has raised urgent questions about the proximity of human settlements to wildlife corridors and whether more should be done to prevent such encounters. Until the elephant is captured or driven back into the forest, the people of Innayin will remain on edge, waiting for the all‑clear. For the family of Ibrahim Tijani, however, the all‑clear will never come. They are left to bury their dead and ask why a creature of the wild was allowed to walk into their village at all.
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