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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Benjamin Lynch

Monster 16ft 75-year-old crocodile has eaten 80 people and even 'snatched children'

Deep in East Africa comes a tale of terror reigning over a Ugandan village, held to ransom by a murderous crocodile.

The super-croc, named 'Osama', was allegedly responsible for a spate of 80 killings in the village of Luganga between 1991 and 2005. Claims even go as far as that the crocodile attacks wiped out a tenth of the village's population.

Osama lived in Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria and villagers claimed it was so powerful and deadly that it was 'immortal'.

The reptilian Voldemort was named after the terrorist Osama bin Laden, responsible for the deadly 9/11 attacks and other atrocities.

Osama was eventually captured in 2005 (AFP via Getty Images)

Reports say he would wait near the lake shore to snatch victims including children as young as 12 and swim underneath boats in a bid to capsize them, before dragging his prey below the surface.

One victim was the brother of Paul Kyewalyanga, who told the Sydney Morning Herald he was rowing with sibling Peter, who was fishing in the lake.

He recalled the gruesome tale: "Osama just emerged from the water vertically and flopped into the boat. The back of the boat where I was sitting was submerged.

"Peter was clutching the side screaming. They fought for about five minutes until I heard a tearing sound.

He added: "Peter shouted, ‘He’s broken my leg.’ Then he let go and was dragged into the lake. A few days later we found his head and his arm."

Uganda's terror croc was eventually captured in 2005 in a coordinated effort by local people and wildlife officials that lasted over a week.

Cow lungs were used as bait to lure Osama in, who became snared when he eventually lunged for the meat.

Thankfully, the beast was not killed after he was captured, but was sent to be part of a breeding programme. The belief was that Osama would produce offspring to be cruelly used as part of luxury fashion items like handbags.

Uganda Crocs boss Alex Mutamba said in 2005: "All Nile crocodiles like Osama will eat a human being if they perceive their territory is being encroached on. But our crocodiles are well-secured, so I’m not too worried."

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