President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over a string of devastating incidents that have left several Nigerians dead and displaced, including a tragic flood in Yola, Adamawa State, a boat mishap in Guni village, Niger State, and a rare but deadly hippopotamus invasion in Adamawa.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by the multiple disasters. He described the events as “deeply saddening” and directed the National Emergency Response Centre and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swing into immediate action with full-scale rescue and relief operations.
“President Tinubu mourns the lives lost and commends the bravery of the Adamawa and Niger States’ Emergency Management Agencies, local divers, volunteers, and community leaders who have shown courage in the face of tragedy,” the statement read.
While acknowledging that flooding has become a global phenomenon exacerbated by climate change, Tinubu urged Nigerians to desist from environmental practices that worsen the effects of natural disasters. He emphasized the importance of collaborative action between government agencies and citizens in mitigating the impact of such occurrences.
The President expressed frustration over the recurring nature of these tragedies, despite sustained public awareness campaigns by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). He called for intensified advocacy on waterway safety and environmental responsibility, urging community leaders and stakeholders to reinforce safety protocols.
“Every life lost to negligence is one too many,” Tinubu stated, charging boat operators, passengers, and all who depend on waterways for commerce and transportation to adhere strictly to safety guidelines.
In a disturbing twist to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, authorities in Adamawa State have confirmed that at least one person has been killed by rampaging hippopotamuses displaced by severe flooding near the Kiri Dam. The animals reportedly invaded Guyuk and Shelleng Local Government Areas, storming farmlands, riversides, and settlements, triggering fear and panic among residents.
Chairman of Guyuk Local Government, Mr. Shalom Kassa, speaking from Banjiram community, said the hippopotamuses, seeking refuge from rising water levels, have begun to pose a direct threat to human life and livelihoods.
“These animals are no longer in their natural habitat. They’re among us—destroying crops and now, sadly, taking lives,” Kassa lamented, calling for urgent wildlife intervention and support for affected communities.
As climate-induced disasters become increasingly frequent and unpredictable, Nigerians now look to the federal and state governments for swift, decisive, and sustained action—not only in response, but in prevention, preparedness, and environmental reform.
PIONEER NEWS 