The invasion of displaced hippopotamuses in the Guyuk and Shelleng Local Government Areas of Adamawa state, resulted in the death of one person.
Mr. Shalom Kassa, Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, said on Monday in the Banjiram neighbourhood that one of the animals murdered a young man during the attack.
Kassa stated that the hippopotamuses, which had been displaced by floods near the Kiri Dam in Shelleng, were now in communities, farmlands, and riverbanks, causing terror among locals.
“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.
In response, Kassa, together with the Chairman of Shelleng Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Abba, and traditional rulers such as Kwandi Nunguraya of Guyuk, Kuruhaye, went to the seat of government in Yola for assistance.
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Kassa added that repeated floods in numerous regions of the state, particularly in Guyuk and Shelleng, had forced the creatures out of their native habitats and into human settlements.
He stated that citizens couldn’t defend themselves because existing rules outlawed the killing or hurting of wildlife, especially 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 expressed his sympathy to the victims of recent flooding in Yola, where five people were confirmed dead and 55 others were injured.
Mr. Awwal Tukur, Secretary to the State administration, welcomed the team and assured them that the administration would handle the issue.
