No fewer than 40 fishermen have jointly killed a mother hippopotamus in Yauri River, Kebbi State, following the animal’s fatal attack on Malam Usman Maigadi, a guard at the Orchard Farm owned by the Emir of Yauri, Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi, on September 22.
The incident took place on Monday, when the fishermen, armed with bows and arrows, tracked and killed the aggressive hippopotamus. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the community’s actions followed a directive from the Emir of Yauri.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Yauri Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibu, stated that the animal had been on a rampage, killing the Emir’s guard and another farmer in separate incidents last month.
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“If you could recall, the hippo killed the Yauri Emir’s guard and another farmer in September. We can’t keep an animal that is killing people anyhow, and all the people it killed were not after the animal—they were doing their own fishing business,” Shu’aibu said.
After being killed, the hippopotamus was transported on a large canoe from the river to the palace of the District Head of Gungu, Alhaji Kasimu Aliyu, where it was met with applause by a large crowd of locals.
“The brave fishermen subsequently butchered the animal into pieces and shared the meat among the people,” Shu’aibu added.
The Emirate and local authorities had earlier raised concerns about the safety of residents around the Yauri River due to increased sightings of hippopotamuses, which can be extremely dangerous when provoked or in close proximity to human activities.
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The killing of the hippopotamus has brought some relief to the residents, though the Chairman of the LGA emphasized that they would continue to monitor the river to prevent further attacks.
Hippopotamuses are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa due to their territorial nature and aggressive behavior, especially when they feel threatened.
This incident has highlighted the need for improved safety measures and increased awareness among communities living close to the river.
NAN