Yola — Although hippos are herbivores, they are extremely aggressive and unpredictable, fighting rival creatures and each other to defend their territories or offsprings. This was witnessed in Shelleng, a riverine community in Adamawa State last week.

It is not only in Shelleng. Rampaging herds of hippopotami are terrorising farmers and fishermen along river Benue, and, at least, two fishermen have been killed in their encounters with the mountainous beasts.

Though, the wild hippopotamus that killed the two fishermen was shot dead, the situation highlights how ill-equipped the Nigerian wildlife control officials are in their duty to protect wildlife and residents of the communities around the rivers where the animals visit frequently.

The marauding giant mammals are destroying fishing boats, turning to waste rice fields and attacking cattle. In all they threaten the livelihoods of local farmers and fishermen in the riverine areas.
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When things fall apart.