- Floods Drive Hippos Into Homes, Farmlands in Adamawa
- One reportedly dead
- Residents unable to defend themselves because the law forbids killing wildlife
At least one person has died and several others are living in fear following the invasion of hippopotamuses in the Guyuk and Shelleng local government areas of Adamawa State, according to local authorities.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, Mr Shalom Kassa, revealed on Monday in Banjiram community that a young man lost his life after being attacked by one of the animals.
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He explained that the hippopotamuses were displaced from their natural habitat near the Kiri Dam in Shelleng due to persistent flooding and have now moved into farmlands, riverbanks, and residential areas, creating panic among locals.
“This poses a serious danger to both human lives and sources of livelihood. The animals are damaging crops, invading homes already affected by flooding, and threatening people and their livestock,” Kassa stated.
In response to the crisis, Kassa, along with the Chairman of Shelleng Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Abba, and traditional leaders including the Kwandi Nunguraya of Guyuk, Kuruhaye, visited the state capital, Yola, to seek government assistance.
He noted that continuous flooding across the region, especially in Guyuk and Shelleng, had pushed the animals out of their usual environment and into areas populated by people.
Kassa added that residents are unable to defend themselves because the law forbids harming or killing wildlife, including hippopotamuses.
“We are urging the state Ministry of Environment, wildlife officials, and relevant authorities to act quickly before more lives are lost,” he appealed.
Kassa also expressed sympathy to victims of recent flooding in Yola town, where five people reportedly died and 55 others were hospitalised.
Responding to the delegation, the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Mr Awwal Tukur, assured them that the government would take appropriate steps to tackle the situation.
