Gombe villagers kill hippopotamus, share meat

A notorious Hippopotamus that had been disturbing residents of Dadinkowa in Yamaltu/Deba local governmen area of Gombe state in the last two years has been killed.

Head of forestry unit of the local government told NAN that apart from terrorising people, the bulky animal had been destroying crops and fishing facilities in the area.

“We discovered it about two and half years ago, but unfortunately, it has become very notorious and dangerous to people,” he said.

“The community wrote to the local government council, complaining about the threat of the animal and we forwarded same to the ministry of environment, seeking the approval of the governor to take action,” he said.

“We received the approval last week, and decided to go hunting for it, an exercise that took us one week before the animal was finally spotted yesterday night.

“We were lucky to trap it outside; we used military men to shoot it, with the help of the local hunters.

“We shot it yesterday night around 10:30 pm when it came out to eat grasses, and today we butchered it in to pieces.”

According to him, about 100 of the animals are in the water, but the onekilled had been crossing to the lower side of the dam and causing havoc.

Adamu Pukuma, permanent secretary, Gombe state ministry of environment and forest resources, said hippopotamuses are among the animals that were endangered and going instinct.

“We have been protecting them but the particular one that was killed was notorious,” he said.

“It killed people around the area, as well as destroyed crops and fishing equipment.

“There were complaints from the people and that was why we sought for the approval of the governor to protect lives and property.”

Leader of Fishermen in Dadinkowa, Sa’adu Sarkinruwa, said the hippopotamus had killed about five persons in the community.