A wild elephant attack has left one person dead and another missing in Innayin Community, Oyo State, triggering panic and a joint search operation involving police, hunters, and local vigilantes.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 3:30 pm on Thursday when residents sighted the animal roaming dangerously close to the community, before it turned violent.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, operatives were immediately alerted and deployed to the scene alongside local security volunteers to contain the situation.
Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka confirmed that officers discovered the body of a 45-year-old man, identified as Ibrahim Tijani, in a nearby bush with injuries consistent with a wildlife attack.
His remains were later evacuated to the General Hospital in Iwere-Ile for examination and preservation.
A second resident, 50-year-old Alhaji Muhammadu Bingin, was reported missing after allegedly encountering the same elephant during the chaos. Search and rescue efforts are currently ongoing to locate him.
Security teams, working with local hunters and vigilantes, have since intensified patrols around the affected area to prevent further incidents and to track the animal.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from the location and remain calm while operations continue, warning against panic or independent attempts to confront the animal.
The police also noted that relevant wildlife authorities, including the National Park Service, have been contacted to assist in managing the situation safely and in line with conservation protocols.
Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, reassured residents that security agencies are fully on ground and working to restore safety in the community.
He appealed for cooperation, stressing that the response is being handled carefully to avoid further casualties while ensuring the animal is properly contained.
Wildlife-related attacks are rare but not unheard of in parts of Nigeria where human settlements border forest reserves, raising renewed concerns over encroachment and animal movement into populated areas.
