Three elephants that invaded the Yankazia community in the East Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region have killed one person in the area. The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The elephants were also said to have invaded three other communities, Soanvusi, Nasuan and Tuna. Raged by the attack on the farmer, members of the Yankazia community mobilized and killed two of the elephants while the other one is yet to be found. According to a National Disaster Management Organisation report, the elephants were moving across the street when two persons on a motorbike run into them, and the mammals attacked and killed one person. The other person managed to escape. The body of the deceased farmer was completely mutilated. The body of the deceased has been conveyed to Gbentiri for burial. He had three wives, eight boys and five girls. A report of the incident was made to the Gbintiri police by the Assembly member of the Gbintiri Electoral area, and one Beladat Mbiane, and investigation has commenced. Police personnel from the Gambaga District have been dispatched to Gbintiri to investigate the case, and they are currently making arrangements to convey a medical officer from the Baptist Medical center in Nalerigu to the scene to assist police investigation. NADMO in the North East Region said its officers are currently at Yankazia and moving towards the Yunyoo Nasuan district, where the elephants reportedly came from. The organisation noted that several people were seen following the three elephants. This is not the first-time elephants have attacked some resident up north. In May, an elephant was killed at Yama near Wungu in the West Mamprusi Municipality, with its ivory stolen.
Picture of the deceased
Getting close to elephants Speaking in an exclusive interview with ghenvironment.org over the incident, the Wildlife Manager in the five Northern Regions including the Upper East Region, Mr Joseph Binlinla said, the elephants were coming from the Eastern Wildlife Corridor of the country. Though unfortunate, he denied that the farmer was killed because he run his motorbike into the elephants. He explained that, the farmer was taken video of the elephants and got closer, hence the attack. An eye witness, Ali Sakukuni also corroborated the account by the Wildlife Manager. He disclosed that, the deceased saw the elephants and started taking pictures and videos of them. Feeling danger, one of them pulled out its trunk, stretched at the now deceased and pushed him against a tree several times and died instantly. Mr Binlinla expressed his condolence to the bereaved family and advised people not to get very close to elephants and other wild animals when they see them around.