Taraba – Taraba State Government has declared 14 hunters wanted for allegedly killing a hippopotamus in Gassol Local Council of the state.
Consequently, the state government has ordered their arrest for killing the endangered species in Kwoi River, close to Bajimba village in Gassol council.
Government had earlier warned all hunters in the area not to hunt the hippopotamus taking refuge in the river.
In spite of the warnings, the hunters, it was learnt, mobilised in the night and went to the river to kill the hippopotamus.
After killing the animal, the hunters were said to have gone ahead to drag it to a nearby forest, where they allegedly shared the meat.
A resident of the community, said: “some hunters who did not get themselves involved in the killing of the animal went ahead and raised the alarm and the government is now after those 14 hunters. “
Consequently, the hunters have deserted their homes and went into hiding for fear of being arrested.
Confirming the report, the traditional ruler of Mutum- biyu, Justice Sani Muhammed (rtd), described the actions of the hunters as “unfortunate”.
He wondered why the hunters turned deaf ears to government warnings by hunting and killing the animal.
Bringing those hunters to book, he said, would go a long way in discouraging other hunters from treading the same path.
The State Commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, said all the indicted hunters will be brought to book as “soon as investigations on the matter are concluded. “
“Hippopotamus is one of the endangered species that must be protected. Those who are involved in its killing would not escape prosecution,” he added. (Guardian/vitalnews)
