Riverine communities in southern parts of Adamawa State came under siege last weekend as three hippos on the lose have killed two fishermen in the Shelleng community, 200km from Yola, the state capital.

According to the Daily Trust report, the rampaging hippos stormed the area early on Saturday morning. Residents who sighted the animals, panicked and ran for safety.

Wild animals have killed residents in the area and the growing problem is a source of concern for Amna Shelleng, the traditional ruler of Shelleng, who has alerted government authorities about the matter.

The government of the state has reportedly engaged local hunters to assist in curbing the problem of killer wildlife. Locals have long complained that the wild life pose a danger to their livelihoods as well.

They say the animals come from the government reserve in Shelleng and destroy fish ponds, rice fields and attack cattle.

While authorities have given the order that aggressive hippos be killed, they have also banned locals from taking boats out along stretches of Benue River where hippo herds are fast growing.

The report added that the hippo said to have killed the two fishermen over the weekend was killed.