Governor Bagudu of Kebbi State has praised the people of Ganten Fadama in Bagudo Local Government Area of the State for safeguarding the three visiting elephants which mysteriously appeared in their farmland a few days back.
The elephants which are three in number were said to have migrated from neighbouring West African country of Benin Republic, and have since refused to return, making Bagudo their new home, and the villagers’ farmland their place of rest and feeding spot.
Governor Bagudu while commending villagers, said he is happy that they have put up a community effort at securing the elephants as they take a turn at keeping watch so as the wild animals will not be hunted down by hunters.
The elephants which have settled in Ganten Tudu in Bagudo Local Government Area in Kebbi State, have spent three days now, and have shown no sign of leaving, and the villagers who are still marveled at the sudden appearance of the elephants have since named them Mama and Karama (which means mummy and baby).
From their names, it is clear that the elephants are a family looking for a better living elsewhere, and Mama which is the mother has dragged her children all the way from the Benin Republic to Nigeria and has shown no signs of leaving the area as she takes care of her calf.
Governor Bagudu who is visiting the area for the second time since the elephants appeared in his State, commend them [villagers] for their continued cooperation in ensuring the safety of the three visiting elephants. He also said adequate compensation will be given to the villagers whose crops have been destroyed by the elephants and those whose farmland has been taken over by the elephants.
The Governor promised to arranged the immediate protection of these increasingly rare animals [elephants] and processes to hand them over to appropriate authorities unharmed.”