By Abigail Philip David
A group of 40 fishermen in Kebbi State has successfully hunted and killed a mother hippopotamus believed to be responsible for the death of Usman Maigadi, a guard at Orchard Farm, owned by the Emir of Yauri, Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu-Abdullahi.
The incident, which occurred on September 22, had caused concern within the Yauri community, prompting local fishermen to take action against the dangerous animal.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, the fishermen, armed with bows and arrows, conducted the hunt on Monday in the Yauri River, located in the Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Yauri Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibu, confirmed the development, stating that the initiative came in response to a directive from the Emir of Yauri. He explained, “The hippo had killed the Emir’s guard and another farmer in September. We could not allow an animal that is causing deaths to roam freely. The people it attacked were simply going about their fishing activities.”
After successfully hunting the animal, the fishermen transported it on a large canoe to the palace of the District Head of Gungu, Alhaji Kasimu Aliyu. There, they were welcomed with applause from a gathered crowd.
In a display of community spirit, the fishermen butchered the animal and shared the meat with the locals, marking the end of the dangerous hippo’s reign in the area.
