A tragic incident occurred in Adamawa State as a young man lost his life following an invasion of hippopotamuses displaced by recent flooding.
The incident, which has sparked panic and concern, affected several communities in the Guyuk and Shelleng Local Government Areas.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, Mr. Shalom Kassa, stated that the attack took place in the Banjiram community on Monday, July 28, 2025.
According to him, the hippopotamuses, which were originally residing in the areas surrounding the Kiri Dam in Shelleng, had been forced out of their natural habitat by rising floodwaters and have since been roaming freely within residential areas, farmlands, and riverbanks.
“This development poses a grave danger to human lives and livelihoods,” Kassa lamented. “The animals are not only destroying crops and invading flooded homes, but they are also endangering the lives of residents and their livestock.”
He added that the local communities were unable to take protective action, as current environmental laws prohibit the killing or harming of wildlife, including hippopotamuses, regardless of the danger they may pose.
To seek urgent intervention, Kassa, alongside the Chairman of Shelleng Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Abba, and traditional leaders including the Kwandi Nunguraya of Guyuk, Kuruhaye, paid a visit to the state capital, Yola. During their visit, they appealed to the state government for immediate assistance in addressing the escalating situation.
Kassa explained that continuous and widespread flooding, especially in the lowland areas of Guyuk and Shelleng, has significantly disrupted both wildlife and human activities.
As the animals flee their submerged habitats, they inadvertently enter populated communities, where they have become increasingly aggressive and dangerous.
He called on the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, wildlife protection agencies, and other relevant government bodies to take swift and decisive action before more casualties are recorded. “We are appealing for an emergency intervention to safeguard our people and restore safety in the affected areas,” he said.
In addition to the threat from the displaced animals, Kassa also expressed sympathy for other victims of the ongoing environmental crisis.
He offered his condolences to the families of five individuals who recently died in Yola town due to flood-related incidents. He also confirmed that at least 55 others had been hospitalised following the disaster.
Receiving the delegation, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Awwal Tukur, assured the visiting officials and traditional leaders that the state government is fully aware of the severity of the situation and is committed to taking necessary steps to protect lives and property.
“We will act promptly to ensure that both the human and environmental crises are addressed,” Tukur said.