At least one person has been killed and several others threatened following the invasion of displaced hippopotamuses in the Guyuk and Shelleng local government areas of Adamawa, local authorities have said.
Mr Shalom Kassa, chairman of Guyuk Local Government, said on Monday in Banjiram community that a young man was reportedly killed by one of the animals during the attack.
Kassa said the hippopotamuses, displaced by flooding around the Kiri Dam in Shelleng, were now within communities, farmlands and riverbanks, causing fear among residents.
“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, alongside the Chairman of Shelleng Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Abba, and traditional rulers, including Kwandi Nunguraya of Guyuk, Kuruhaye, had visited the seat of government in Yola to seek help.
Kassa explained that 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.
Mr Awwal Tukur, Secretary to the Adamawa Government, who received the delegation, assured them that the government would address the situation.
