Inuwa Garba, the lawmaker representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency in Gombe State, has urged Federal Government agencies to address the rising attacks by hippopotamuses on his constituents, which have recently resulted in deaths.
Garba raised the issue on Thursday through a motion of urgent public importance during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Gombe State, along with neighbouring Bauchi, is home to various wildlife, including bush pigs, buffalo, elephants, and zebras. The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker noted that several communities within Yamaltu/Deba have recently experienced deadly hippopotamus attacks, particularly targeting fishermen and farmers working near rivers and farmlands.
He said, “These attacks have led to the tragic loss of lives and the destruction of crops, inflicting untold hardship on families and communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on fishing and agriculture. The constant presence of these wild animals has instilled fear among residents, forcing many to abandon their means of livelihood, worsening poverty and food insecurity in the area.”
Garba cited a recent incident on October 5, when a canoe was attacked, resulting in the death of one Yahaya Bawa and injuries to several others.
He warned that if the situation is left unaddressed, it “may escalate into a major humanitarian and economic crisis, as more people are displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and agricultural productivity further diminished.”
The lawmaker called for urgent intervention to manage wildlife encroachment, protect communities, and preserve habitats, stressing that failure to act could lead to the abandonment of affected areas and widespread food insufficiency.
