LAWMAKER RAISES ALARM OVER DEADLY HIPPOPOTAMUS ATTACKS IN GOMBE COMMUNITIES
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The lawmaker representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency, Gombe State, Inuwa Garba, has urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the recurring hippopotamus attacks that have claimed lives and disrupted farming and fishing activities in his constituency.
Garba made the appeal on Thursday through a motion of urgent public importance during a plenary session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
Gombe and neighbouring Bauchi State are home to several wildlife species, including elephants, zebras, buffalo, and bush pigs. However, reports of human attacks are rare.
Garba noted that in recent weeks, communities in Yamaltu/Deba have faced recurrent and deadly attacks by hippopotamuses, mainly affecting farmers and fishermen working around rivers and farmlands.
“These attacks have led to tragic loss of lives and destruction of crops, inflicting untold hardship on affected families and worsening poverty and food insecurity,” he said.
He cited a recent incident on October 5, when a canoe was attacked, leading to the death of a fisherman, Yahaya Bawa, and injuries to several others. He warned that continued attacks could escalate into a humanitarian and economic crisis, displacing more people and crippling agricultural productivity.
Following the debate, the House adopted the motion and directed the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission to provide motorised boats to ease the movement of farmers and goods in the riverine communities.
The House also called on the Federal Government to set up an inter-agency committee comprising the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, National Emergency Management Agency, and HYPPADEC to assess the damage and provide relief materials and compensation.
Additionally, lawmakers urged collaboration with wildlife and environmental agencies to design sustainable control measures to protect lives and livelihoods.
The House mandated its Committees on HYPPADEC, Water Resources, and Agricultural Production and Services to conduct a fact-finding visit to the affected communities and propose lasting solutions.
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