- Safiu Kehinde
Concerns have grown in Maiduguri over dangerous animals that have been let loose and spotted across the city after the flood ravaging the state capital since Monday night.
Crocodiles were seen wandering through the flooded streets after their zoo got submerged by the flood, raising fears that others such as elephants, lions, and snakes domiciled in the zoo may find their way out at any moment.
According to reports, the Director, Forest and Wildlife, Ayuba Peter, who said the incident took them unawares, confirmed that the zoo manager had been told of the recent development.
Mr Peter said roads around the area had been blocked to stop human movement, while wildlife staff members were patrolling to pick any animal that escaped, particularly the carnivores.
Meanwhile, a reliable source in the zoo said that about 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo, particularly the carnivores who can’t escape due to their locked facility are dead, while others such as snakes and crocodiles have been washed away by the flood.
Prior to this development, NPO Reports prison break after the flood erupted at Maiduguri’s correctional facility, leaving many inmates on the run.
In the wake of the disaster, Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, paid an emergency visit to the Borno capital city.
He expressed his grievances over the damages recorded in the cause of the flooding while promising to bring the situation under control.