The lawmaker representing Ijebu East Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Owode Ifedolapo, has sympathized with family of Musa Yahaya Kalamu, the farmer who lost his life to an elephant attack in the Itasin area of Ijebu East local government.
The 50-year-old farmer, who others described as a logger falling trees within the elephant’s domain was killed on Monday.
In gory video that surfaced on Tuesday, his lifeless body was seen with his intestines all out.
Reacting to the incident, Ifedolapo, the member representing the local government described it as deeply unfortunate and shocking.
He prayed for strength and peace for the grieving family and offered his sincere sympathies, urging members of the community to remain calm, acknowledging the fear and anger that such tragic event can cause.
“While we understand the pain and confusion this incident has caused, we urge our people to remain calm. The government is being engaged to take swift and lasting action,” he said.
Meanwhile, he urged the state government, relevant wildlife and environmental agencies to take immediate steps to investigate the cause of the incident and implement preventive measures to forestall a recurrence.
Ifedolapo stressed that the community cannot live in fear of wildlife attacks and called for the urgent implementation of a conservation development plan to regulate human-wildlife boundaries, secure life and property safety, and maintain ecological balance.
“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts between conservation agencies, local authorities, and the state government.
“Our communities should not live in fear of wildlife attacks. We must strike a balance between conservation and safety,” he added.
He reiterated his dedication to collaborating with all parties involved in order to guarantee the implementation of efficient remedies and prevent a recurrence, saying the matter would be discussed on the floor of the House as part of efforts to find a lasting solutions to the incident.
