From Moshood Karim
Residents of Anegbette, a riverside community in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, were thrown into a mix of shock and excitement after a giant hippopotamus—reportedly three times the size of a cow—was shot dead by a local vigilante, Patrick David.
The unusual incident occurred in the Okumuzo River, a tributary of the Alika River, where the massive animal had been sighted for several days. Eyewitnesses said its presence became the talk of the community, with many gathering by the riverbank in awe of the rare visitor.
On the day of the killing, David reportedly took aim and brought down the enormous creature, prompting scenes of jubilation among villagers who described the encounter as “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“It was like something from a storybook. We have never seen anything like this here,” one resident said, adding that the sheer size of the animal stunned onlookers.
While many celebrated the catch, others viewed it as a reminder of the rich but vulnerable wildlife in the region’s river systems. Environmental enthusiasts have urged caution in such cases, stressing the need to balance human safety with conservation efforts.
The carcass of the hippopotamus was later hauled ashore, drawing even larger crowds eager to witness the rare spectacle up close.
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