A member of the House of Representatives representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Inuwa Garba, has appealed to the Federal Government to take swift action to address frequent hippopotamus attacks that have caused deaths and destroyed farmlands in his constituency.
Garba made the appeal on Thursday through a motion of urgent public importance during plenary, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
The lawmaker explained that communities across his constituency had suffered repeated and deadly attacks by hippopotamuses, posing serious threats to fishermen and farmers whose livelihoods depend on rivers and farmlands.
He said, “There have been recurrent and deadly attacks by hippopotamuses in several communities within Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State, particularly affecting fishermen and other farmers whose activities revolve around rivers and farmlands in the area.
“The House notes that these attacks have led to tragic loss of lives of some fishermen and farmers, as well as destruction of crops, thereby inflicting untold hardship on the affected families and communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on fishing and agriculture;
“The constant presence of these wild animals around rivers and farmlands in these locations has instilled fear and panic among residents, forcing many farmers and fishermen to abandon their means of livelihood, thus worsening the poverty and food insecurity situation in the constituency.”
Garba recounted that on October 5, a canoe was attacked by a hippopotamus, resulting in the death of one Yahaya Bawa and injuries to several others.
He cautioned that failure to act swiftly could lead to a humanitarian and economic crisis as more residents flee the affected areas, abandoning farming and fishing activities.
In response to the motion, the House directed the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPPADEC, to provide motorised boats to facilitate safe movement of farmers, goods, and services in the riverine communities.
The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to establish an inter-agency committee comprising the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and HYPPADEC to evaluate the extent of damage, deliver relief materials, and compensate affected residents.
Additionally, the House called for collaboration with relevant wildlife and environmental agencies to develop sustainable strategies for managing the movement of hippopotamuses and ensuring the safety of local populations.
Gombe and neighbouring Bauchi State are known to host a range of wildlife species, including elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and bush pigs, though reports of direct human attacks remain relatively rare.
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