A hippopotamus, long threatening the residents of Dere, Apataku, Kuchi Kakanda and Ezhi communities in Muye/Egba Ward of Lapai Local Government Area in Niger State has been killed by hunters.
Sources in Minna, Niger State, said that the amphibious animal, living within the River Niger, was reportedly injured somewhere else and relocated to the said communities over 10 months ago.
It was gathered that the wounded hippopotamus has been terrorizing lives of people traveling on the river as well as fishermen, and has destroyed several rice farms in the area.
This prompted the brave hunters to go after the dangerous hippopotamus which was eventually killed last week Wednesday at Dere, on the confluence of River Niger and River Gurara.
It was also gathered that meat of hippopotamus is not usually sold according to the culture and tradition of the communities, but shared among various households around the location where it was killed for a meal.
They do this to prove that a big animal has been killed in the land, just as is done with an elephant meat, if it is similarly killed.
A native of the community, Saidu Umar, stated that the killing of the wild animal has brought relief to the affected communities and innocent lives that could have fallen victims of its attack especially during the night.
It was also discovered that the Lapai Local Government Area and Emirate Council have been fully briefed on the development and they commended the bravery of the hunters after several months of sustained efforts.
Analysts are wondering why the bandits ravaging the area failed to kill the dangerous animals themselves, but prefer to destroy lives and property.
