More than 30 farms in Gamboru Ngala, a market town in Borno State, close to the Cameroon border, have been trampled on and destroyed by a herd of elephants.

Farmers in the area told RNI reporter Zainab Alhaji Ali that the elephants had caused them “great losses”.

Yakaru Yabour Ariye said: “We have done a lot of farming and we were expecting a bumper harvest, but then the elephants came and they have trampled and eaten our plants and produce and have destroyed our lands. We were not expecting them. Right now, more and more are arriving in the area. They are causing a commotion and we are afraid they might harm us as well.

“I went to the farm today but then I ran back when I saw them because I was afraid they might kill me. So, I ended up not doing any farming today. Many other farmers are experiencing the same thing. And they are also scared of being hurt or even killed by the elephants.”

Babagana Manga said: “Last year we made a loss because the elephants destroyed our farms. This year we have farmed well and we were all expecting a bumper harvest. We did not think the elephants would come. But they are here now and they are trampling on everything we have grown, eating the plants and the produce. In just one day they can destroy large areas of farmland, causing us losses and threatening our ability to farm.

“The elephants have already destroyed more than 30 farms which were still to be harvested. As a result, many farmers have decided to pick the unripe produce and take the plants home with them. They are scared that the elephants will eat and trample on all the plants, especially the maize.”

Manga said most farmers had sold their possessions and property to invest the money into their lands. Some had even borrowed money, hoping they would be able to pay back the cash when their bumper harvests were sold.

“But now that is not possible. We will have few, if any, crops left. And it’s all because of the elephants. Many people are suffering from depression because all they can think about is the money they have lost.”

He said the farmers had begged the government to address the issue of the elephants.

“We depend on farming because it is our only source of income. If the government does not address this situation, we will not get enough food. I don’t know what they can do to stop the elephants but our livelihoods are at stake here. We are becoming desperate. We are afraid of losing everything we have worked for. The elephants have to be stopped or else we will have nothing to put on our tables.”

Manga pleaded with authorities to take action to protect their farmlands and ensure food security.

AISHA SD JAMAL