Villagers Kill Hippopotamus In Niger

A hippopotamus purportedly threatening four communities in Lapai local government area of Niger State was killed by hunters from the area.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the  hippopotamus was discovered by the residents of Dere, Apataku, Kuchi Kakanda and Ezhi communities in Muye/Egba Ward of Lapai council about 10 months  ago, prompting the hunters from the villages to lay an ambush for it.

Sources in the village hinted that the wild animal was sighted inside the River Niger and was reportedly injured somewhere, hence it relocated to the said communities over 10 months ago.

A villager, Saidu Umar, said, “The wounded hippopotamus has been terrorising the lives of the people travelling on the river and fishermen , destroying rice farms of individuals in the area and making travelling on the river risky”.

He said, “It has necessitated the unity of the brave hunters to go after the dangerous hippopotamus, who was eventually killed last weekend at Dere, the confluence of the River Niger and the River Gurara”.

Asked what the villagers did with the dead animal, he said ” The meat of hippopotamus is not being sold according to the culture and tradition  , but they are shared among various communities around.”

Umar said that the killing of the wild animal has brought relief to the communities and innocent lives that could have fallen victim to its attack, especially at night.

He said  the Lapai local government and Emirate Councils were fully briefed about the development and commended the hunters’ bravery after several months of trailing efforts.