By Abdulkareem Haruna

The people of Rann in northeast Nigeria have found themselves facing an unexpected and formidable foe – marauding elephants that have been causing widespread devastation to their farmlands for the second year running.

In a region already scarred by the atrocities of the Boko Haram insurgency, the plight of the villagers in Rann has taken a distressing turn as their agricultural livelihoods come under siege from the destructive force of these large mammals.

“We’re farmers; we depend on what we farm for our survival,” lamented Ajid, a resident of Rann

“After being displaced by Boko Haram, we are now confronted with elephants that are destroying our farmlands. We have lodged complaints for a long time, but nobody has shown interest in assisting us, despite being our leaders.”

The villagers’ appeals for help have so far fallen on deaf ears, leaving them feeling abandoned and vulnerable. With their plea for government intervention seemingly unheard, the residents of Rann are now left clinging to a desperate hope for a resolution to their predicament.

“We are urging the authorities to take swift action before it’s too late,” implored Mousa, another local farmer. “The impact of these elephant raids could lead to devastating consequences, causing food insecurity and further hardship for our community.”

The challenges faced by the people of Rann are compounded by the rugged terrain of the area, which presents obstacles to effective government intervention. As a result, the village finds itself teetering on the brink of an agricultural crisis, with the specter of food shortages looming large.

In light of the villagers’ plea for assistance, it is imperative that the authorities heed their call and mobilize resources to address this pressing issue. The livelihoods of the people of Rann hang in the balance, and decisive action is needed to prevent further loss and hardship.

“The people of Rann have spoken, their plea resonating with urgency and necessity,” said Ahmed Shehu, a civil society activist. “It is now incumbent upon those in positions of authority to rise to the occasion and extend a lifeline to a community in dire need. The time to act is now, before the devastation wrought by these elephants becomes an irreversible tragedy for the people of Rann.”

For years, Kala Balge has relied on government aid and relief efforts following its displacement by Boko Haram. Typically, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has had to travel by air through Cameroon to reach this border community, where he distributes food and cash assistance. His most recent trip to the community was in January.