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The Ministry of Environment in Gombe State said plans have been concluded to tackle the threat posed by hippopotamuses destroying farmlands and mauling humans in Malala and Gombe Abba, Dukku Local Council, as well as Dandinkowa in Yamaltu Deba council areas of Gombe State.
The Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Sa’adatu Sa’ad Mustapha, disclosed this in Gombe while speaking with journalists. She said the destruction caused by the animals was a huge challenge for the state government.
Mustapha stated that the attacks by the hippopotamuses were first reported in January and February this year and a recent case this month in the two local councils where dry season farming is ongoing, adding that the wild animals invade farms already germinating with crops and destroy them.
“We just learned that there is a case of hippopotamuses destroying farms and mauling humans in Dukku. Right now we are waiting for the affected people to come, so that we discuss on finding a solution to the issue,” she said.
The meeting between officials of the Ministry of Environment, leaders of the affected communities and officials of Gombe State University is aimed at finding how to preserve the wild animals and prevent them from destroying the environment or causing harm to people.
