A young man has been killed and several communities thrown into panic following an invasion by displaced hippopotamuses in parts of Adamawa State. The large animals, forced out of their natural habitat by severe flooding around the Kiri Dam, have reportedly taken over farmlands, riverbanks, and residential areas in Guyuk and Shelleng local government areas.
Shalom Kassa, Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, confirmed the fatal incident on Monday while speaking in Banjiram community. He explained that the hippos, now roaming freely near homes and farms, pose a growing danger to people, livestock, and livelihoods.
“These animals are destroying farmlands, invading homes, and putting lives at risk. This is beyond what the communities can handle,” Kassa stated. He noted that the flooding has pushed the animals into closer contact with humans, worsening an already fragile situation.
Kassa, joined by Shelleng Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Abba and local traditional rulers, including the Kwandi Nunguraya of Guyuk, Kuruhaye, visited Yola to plead for urgent help from state authorities. They emphasized that despite the threats, residents are unable to act due to laws that protect wildlife such as hippos.
The delegation was received by Awwal Tukur, Secretary to the State Government, who assured them that the government would respond swiftly to prevent further casualties.
Kassa also sympathized with flood victims in Yola, where five people recently died and over 50 others were hospitalized.
