A hippopotamus believed to be responsible for the death of a fisherman in Banjiram, Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State, has been hunted down and killed by residents of Shelleng town.
The incident followed weeks of fear and tension across riverside communities along the River Gongola, where displaced hippopotamuses have reportedly invaded farmlands and settlements, prompting safety concerns.
Chairman of Guyuk LGA, Shalom Kassa, confirmed the fatality, noting that the victim was attacked while fishing. “We have warned people to stay away from the riverbanks, but these creatures are unpredictable when displaced,” he said.
In response to the threat, fishing activities in the area had been suspended, and residents took extra precautions to keep children away from water bodies. The specific animal implicated in the attack was later sighted near Shelleng.
Local hunters and vigilantes launched a manhunt, tracking the animal for several hours before killing it using traditional weapons and coordinated strategies. Portions of the animal were distributed among households, with some of the meat sold or cooked in the community.
One Shelleng resident remarked, “It took one of ours. Now it feeds many of us,” as locals handled parts of the carcass.
However, conservation experts have cautioned against celebrating the incident. A wildlife specialist warned that the conflict stems from environmental degradation. “This should not be seen as a victory, but a wake-up call. These hippos don’t attack without reason. Their habitats are disappearing,” he said.
Flooding and shrinking grazing areas have been blamed for the animals’ migration into human settlements, leading to growing clashes between wildlife and rural dwellers.
