Kalshingi H Jedidah
Men of the Nigerian Army on Thursday killed a notorious hippopotamus which had been reported as great threat to farmers, fishermen, and other residents living near Dadin Kowa Dam at Yamaltu -Deba Local Government of Gombe state.
Confirming the incident, Malam Ismail Umar Head of Forestry Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Council, said, the wild animal had been a source of worry to the people of the area and its environs for over two years as it had been known for the several killings of farmers and fishermen.
According to him, the Hippopotamus had not only killed many people, but had also destroyed many farm lands around the area.
“We discovered it since last and the half two years, but unfortunately it became very notorious and hazardous to people especially, farmers fishermen,” he said.
He added that, killing of the wild animal followed series of complaints made by residents of the area, which prompted an order by the State Executive Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to eliminate the wild animal.
“The people wrote to the LGA complaining about the damages and we forwarded to the state government seeking for approval to kill the animal. We received the approval last week, and went into search which took over a week before it was finally spotted on Wednesday night,” Umar added.
According to him, the military men assisted by some local hunters were able to trap the animal at about 10:30 pm and finally shot it to death.
Umar however disclosed that, there are over 100 Hippopotamus in the dam water, but that, the one that was killed, decided to cross to the lower side of the dam where it had been terrorising the people.”
