On Sunday, a tragic incident occurred at Yauri River in Kebbi State when a hippopotamus killed a 60-year-old fisherman named Malam Usman Maigadi.
Maigadi, who worked as a guard at the Emir of Yauri’s Orchard Farm, was fishing when the animal attacked, likely in defense of its young, as reported by Daily Post.
Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibu, the Chairman of Yauri Local Government, confirmed that Maigadi had been laid to rest, stating, “Maigadi has been buried according to Islamic rites in Yauri after a funeral prayer.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Governor Nasir Idris extended his condolences to both the Yauri Emirate and Maigadi’s family. He said, “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.”
While encounters with wildlife are rare, they can occur when humans unintentionally come too close. Such incidents typically happen when animals feel threatened or believe their young are in danger.
In a similar vein, a veterinary technologist at the Zoological Garden of Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a lion on campus in February 2024. Additionally, in 2020, a lion attack claimed the life of 69-year-old South African conservationist West Mathewson without warning.
