Residents of Government College area, Umuahia were thrown into anxiety on Wednesday after a crocodile was trapped and killed at Iyi Umuohu, a swampy stream located behind residential houses opposite the school.
Speaking to our reporter, a businessman in the area, Chukwu Chidiebere, said the crocodile was killed at about 9:20 a.m., drawing the attention of passers-by.
He noted that the stream where the reptile was found is usually shallow and almost dried up, adding that a cobra had also been killed there a few days earlier.
Chidiebere described the increasing appearance of wild animals in the area as worrisome.
Another resident, Prince Adex said he arrived after the crocodile had already been killed but confirmed that the trap which caught the animal had been set in the water.
Recall that on 29 October 2025, two black cobras were also killed in traps set along the same riverbank around the Government College axis.
The recurring incidents have left residents uneasy, with many admitting that they now sleep with caution due to the presence of wildlife near their homes.
Residents commended the hunter responsible for the traps and expressed gratitude to God for continued protection from such dangers.
The dry, hot conditions usually associated with December, residents say, often drive reptiles and other creeping creatures out of their hiding places in search of cooler spaces, a situation that poses added risks in populated areas.
These repeated incidents have further reminded residents of Government College, Umuahia, and Abia at large of the need to clear bushes around their homes, as such areas easily shelter wild animals.
Meanwhile, residents are calling on the state government, through the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, to identify and monitor locations where wildlife movement poses a threat. They also urged the government to consider developing the expansive wild areas into a game centre.
Confirming the incident, Dr. Levi Onyenweaku of the Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, stated that the animal was indeed a crocodile.
“We do not have alligators in West Africa. What we have here are crocodiles. There are two species found in this region, the Nile and the dwarf crocodile. I have one dwarf crocodile that I manage on campus. They can be harmful when they encounter animals or humans within their territory. They live both in water and on land. If they are hunting for food, they can attack anything on their path. While on land, they may not attack humans easily, but are more dangerous in water,” he explained.
Crocodile Killed Near Govt College Sparks Fresh Safety Concerns
- Advertisement -
