Adamawa Villagers Kill Hippo Displaced By Flood

A hippopotamus displaced by flood from Kiri Dam has been killed.

The animal had killed a local in Shelleng local government area of Adamawa State.

It was allegedly killed by the residents of Banjiram.

The chairman of Guyuk local government area, Mr Shalom Kassa,  said  the deceased, a young man, was reportedly killed by the hippo.

Kassa said other displaced  hippos were within the  communities destroying  farmlands and wreaking havocs in the affected.

“This is a serious threat to human lives and means of livelihoods; the animals are destroying farmlands, invading flooded homes, and endangering residents and livestock,” he said.

The chairman and a paramount ruler of the Kwandi Nunguraya of Guyuk, Kuruhaye Dishan Dansanda, had visited the Government House in Yola for help.

Kassa said persistent flooding across several parts of the state, especially in Guyuk and Shelleng, had forced the animals out of their natural habitat and into populated areas.

He added that residents were unable to defend themselves as existing laws prohibited the killing or harming of wildlife, including hippopotamuses.

“We are appealing to the state Ministry of Environment, wildlife officials, and relevant agencies to urgently intervene before more lives are lost,” he said.

Kassa also extended his condolences to victims of recent flooding in Yola town, where five persons reportedly died and 55 others were hospitalised.

Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Mr Awwal Tukur, who received the delegation, assured them that the government would address the situation.

The locals had earlier issued a distressed call to authorities calling on them to tame the wild animals which had been destroying farmlands and threatening the lives of residents.

According to locals, the animal had become increasingly aggressive after being displaced from its natural habitat near Kiri Dam due to heavy rains and severe flooding.