A small riverside village is facing an uneasy mystery after a local resident went missing near the water—an incident that has stirred anxiety, speculation, and a renewed look at long-standing human–wildlife tensions.

According to officials, the missing person was last seen walking near the riverbank, a place where residents regularly collect water, fish, or simply pass through on their way to farmland. When they failed to return home, neighbours launched an informal search before alerting local authorities.

What deepened the community’s concern was the sighting of an unusually large crocodile in the same area. Wildlife officers have confirmed that the animal has been seen multiple times in recent months, often drifting close to the village boundaries—a behaviour that locals say is new and worrying. Still, investigators stress that linking the crocodile directly to the disappearance is speculation, not fact.

Search teams are currently combing both the riverside and inland areas, using boats, drones, and trained trackers. Wildlife authorities have set up monitoring points to track the crocodile’s movements, but emphasise that no intervention will occur unless there is a clear safety risk.

Villagers, meanwhile, are caught between fear, superstition, and practical realities. Some argue the crocodile should be relocated for public safety. Others caution against jumping to conclusions, pointing out that many disappearances near rivers involve accidents, disorientation, or weather-related hazards rather than wildlife.

For now, officials are urging residents to avoid the river’s edge, especially at dawn and dusk, until the search concludes. The investigation remains open, and authorities continue to remind the public that evidence—not rumour—will determine what happened.

The river keeps its secrets, but the community is hoping this one is solved soon.