The Paramount Chief of Wungu in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region, Naazori Saaka Sulemana, has authorized a manhunt for a group of armed residents who attacked and killed a bull elephant.

The assemblyman for Wungu, Alhassan Nasiru who spoke on behalf of the Paramount Chief said the Chief is furious about the matter because the residents chose to disregard his warning against the killing of the animal after its presence in the area was brought to his attention.

"The paramount Chief of Wungu Traditional Area gave orders that they shouldn't touch it. Once he said they shouldn't kill it, it should have been left alone. I think that is why it has been lying there since yesterday," he said.

The animal was killed Friday afternoon near a small stream outside the village. It is still not clear how the animal was killed but locals at the scene have been unwilling to give information.

However, it was gathered that the animal was cornered by not less than 20 armed men who fired from different directions as it attempted to flee a small burnt forest in the area.

The animal was slaughtered and butted, its eyes were plugged out and taken away by the killers while the rest of the body was severely riddled with bullets.

The chief has therefore ordered the residents to stay away from the carcass as attempts are being made to report the incident to the Forestry Services in Walewale.