The Borno State government has said there is no elephant presence in the Sambisa forest.
Ayuba Peter, Director of Forestry and Wildlife, revealed that a recent survey found no elephants in the area.
Historically, Sambisa forest was home to a herd of elephants, but habitat destruction and poaching led to their disappearance.
Recently, elephants from neighbouring Cameroon have been spotted in Borno’s border areas, particularly in Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge.
However, they have not ventured into Sambisa forest, instead causing damage to farmlands in the border regions.
“We conducted a survey before the Boko Haram insurgency and found that its population has been depleted by activities of poachers.
“We used to have a herd of elephants in Sambisa forest, but due to poaching and other habitat destruction, we have lost them.
“When we started having reports of their incursions from a neighbouring Cameroon forest into Borno, through Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge axis, we were excited.
“Our hope was that they would proceed to Sambisa forest and probably find a more habitable place.
“So far, they have continued to roam around the border areas destroying farmlands but without moving down to Sambisa,” Peter said.
