Stray elephants kill three persons, destroy farmlands in North East Region
Three persons including a woman, have been killed by a herd of stray elephants in Yunyoo/Nasuan and the East Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region after the animals raided the area on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the deceased identified as, Mr Fuseini Mbieni, aged 42 is said to have been killed by the stray animals after he attempted to ward them off his farm.
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Two unidentified persons were also attacked and killed after taking shots of the animals.
The animals said to have migrated from their habitation in a forest reserve in neighbouring Togo to graze in the area also destroyed large acres of farmlands.
The Daily Graphic gathered that; the aggrieved residents also launched an attack on the animals and gunned down three of them following the incident. They, however, later shared the meat among themselves.
Briefing
The Acting North East Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Robert Anabiik Anmain confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic and said police had commenced investigation into the matter.
He explained that the animals raided the area and an attempt by the residents to ward them off destroying their crops, the elephants stamped on one of the farmers, killing him instantly, adding that “The body of the deceased farmer is completely mutated”.
The animals then moved to different communities and killed two persons.
He said the bodies have since been conveyed to a morgue at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu for autopsy.
Eyewitness account
According to an eyewitness, Mr David Kpatia “the residents were following the stray elephants and taking some shots so later I saw the aggressive elephants attacking two of the deceased persons who were at close range with them, stepping and killing them instantly".
He said of the one deceased, Fuseini Mbieni who was a resident of Gbintiri was also killed on his farm after he attempted to ward off the rampaging elephants.
Elephant’s raid
This is not the first time elephants have attacked residents in the Northern part of the country.
Last year, residents in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region who farm along the wildlife forest reserve in Sakote had their farmlands destroyed by stray elephants.
About 300 acres of farmlands were destroyed with an estimated damage cost of GH¢80,200.