Tragedy as Hippopotamus Kills Man in Nasarawa Community

By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia

A hippopotamus has killed a 33-year-old man, Orobo Francis-Moses, while he was crossing Feferuwa Lake in the Lafia East Area of Nasarawa State.

The deceased, a resident of Ungwan Zayol in the Lafia East Area Administrative Council, was attacked last Thursday. The tragic incident has sparked concern among locals and drawn the attention of government officials.

Confirming the incident, Yusuf Akuki-Orogu, Director of Personnel Management for the Lafia East Council, urged residents to remain calm.
He assured the community that the state government is working to address the recurring hippopotamus threat in the area.

“I appeal to residents, especially those in Tungan Nupawa, to be patient and allow the government to find lasting solutions,” Akuki-Orogu said during a condolence visit to the victim’s family.

He warned against any retaliatory actions and stressed the need for cooperation with authorities as efforts intensify to protect lives.

Also speaking, the Ward Head of the area, Danjuma Ebagu, described the situation as dire. He recalled a similar attack in 2023 that claimed the life of a young woman and highlighted the toll on the local economy.

“Fishing has been disrupted, and people are living in fear. We need urgent intervention to save both lives and livelihoods,” he said.

The community has called for swift government action to prevent further tragedies.