A hippopotamus, which is genetically herbivorous, has on Sunday hacked a 60-year-old fisherman, Malam Usman Maigadi, to death.
The heart-rending incident let loose on Maigadi, when he was fishing at Yauri River, Kebbi State.
Reports say the hippopotamus attacked in a likely defense of its young. But this cannot be independently confirmed.
Until Maigadi’s death, he worked as a guard at the Emir of Yauri’s Orchard Farm.
The Chairman of Yauri Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibu, confirmed Maigadi’s burial, stating, “Maigadi has been buried according to Islamic rites in Yauri, after a funeral prayer.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Governor Nasir Idris extended condolences to the Yauri Emirate and Maigadi’s family.
“I want the emirate and members of the deceased family to take heart and accept the will of the Almighty in good faith.
“I pray to Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, animal attacks, though rare, can occur when humans inadvertently come into close contact with wildlife.
Worthy of note, multiple sources around the area of the incident in Kebbi State said such incidents where animals feel threatened or perceive a danger to their young or territory and attack are incumbent to the area.
In February 2024, the veterinary technologist in charge of the Zoological Garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Mr Olabode Olawuyi, was also killed by a lion on the campus.
In 2020, lions attacked and killed a South African conservationist, West Mathewson, 69, without warning.
