Farmers in Hinna Community, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, are issuing a desperate plea for help following a series of devastating attacks by hippopotamuses that have resulted in loss of life and the destruction of crops worth millions of Naira.
Community in Mourning as Hippo Attacks Turn Deadly
The Head of Farmers in Hinna Community, Mr Zakari Ladan, revealed the grim situation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday, January 5, 2026. He confirmed that the persistent and aggressive behavior of hippos has escalated to fatal levels.
Three persons have been killed in separate incidents, while another three sustained serious injuries and are currently hospitalized in Gombe. The community lives in constant fear as the animals roam freely, posing a direct threat to human safety.
N180 Million Agricultural Investment Wiped Out
The economic toll on the agrarian community is staggering. According to Ladan, from September 2025 to January 2026, hippos have ravaged no fewer than 100 hectares of farmland. The scale of destruction is immense, with a single hippo capable of destroying up to two hectares of crops in just one day.
The destroyed crops represent a wide range of produce vital to the local economy:
- Rice and Beans
- Maize and Onions
- Cabbage, Carrots, and Okro
- Watermelon and Sweet Melon
The collective financial loss from this destruction is estimated at a colossal N180 million. Farmer Malam Haruna Hinna provided a specific example, noting that one hectare of his carrot farm, valued at N1.7 million, was completely wiped out.
A Growing Herd and a Plea for Urgent Intervention
Ladan highlighted that the root of the crisis is a booming hippo population, which has now grown to more than 40 animals in the area. This growing herd is wreaking havoc not only on farmlands but also affecting local fishermen, disrupting multiple livelihoods.
Despite repeatedly reporting the crisis to the state government, non-governmental organisations, and other relevant authorities, the farmers feel abandoned. "We are tired and financially exhausted," lamented Haruna Hinna. The community's appeals are clear and urgent:
- Immediate protection for lives and farmlands from the hippo threats.
- Support from both Federal and State governments to curb the attacks.
- Provision of farm inputs to help them recover and return to farming.
- Support for fishermen to adopt alternative livelihoods like fish farming.
The situation in Hinna Community underscores a critical conflict between wildlife conservation and human survival, demanding a swift and decisive response from authorities to prevent further tragedy and economic ruin.
