“There Is A Hippopotamus In My House” – Flood Victim In Benue State

Dangerous animals, including crocodiles, snakes and hippos, have found their way into homes and communities in central Nigeria after devastating flooding, residents say.

The creatures were carried along flood-swollen rivers, say the authorities.

“There is now a hippopotamus in [my] house,” Benue state resident Wuese Jirake told the BBC. “I hope that when it is tired, it may leave my home.”

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the flooding.

Hundreds also died in the worst flooding in decades.

Vast tracts of farmland have been completely destroyed.

Mr Jirake told the BBC he had returned to his home to find it occupied by the hippo.

“This morning I visited my house. It is still inundated with the flood waters above my waist. There is now a hippopotamus in the house,” he said.

He said he had reported the situation to the authorities.

“I hope that when it is tired, it may leave my home. If there is any other way of dealing with the problem, the authorities need to pursue that because it is beyond my abilities.”

Similar situations have been reported in the towns of Makurdi, Agatu, Logo and Adoka, says the BBC’s Is’haq Khalid.

Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency says it is working hand in hand with the Benue state government and other relevant agencies to ensure the flood victims return to their homes.