Gombe Lawmaker Appeals for Urgent Action as Hippopotamus Attacks Kill Residents

Inuwa Garba, the lawmaker representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency in Gombe State, has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the rising attacks by hippopotamuses on local communities, which have recently led to fatalities.

Garba raised the issue on Thursday during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu, presenting a motion of urgent public importance.

Gombe and neighbouring Bauchi States are home to diverse wildlife, including bush pigs, buffalo, elephants, and zebras. The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker highlighted that several communities in Yamaltu/Deba have experienced repeated and deadly hippopotamus attacks, particularly affecting fishermen and farmers working along rivers and farmlands.

“These attacks have caused tragic loss of lives and destruction of crops, creating severe hardship for families and communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing and agriculture. The presence of these wild animals has instilled fear, forcing many to abandon their work, worsening poverty and food insecurity in the constituency,” Garba said.

He cited a recent incident on October 5, when a canoe was attacked, killing one Yahaya Bawa and injuring several others.

Garba warned that if the situation is not addressed, it “could escalate into a major humanitarian and economic crisis, displacing more people, destroying livelihoods, and reducing agricultural productivity.”

He urged urgent action to manage wildlife encroachment, protect local communities, and preserve habitats, stressing that failure to act could lead to deserted farmlands and widespread food shortages.