Panic in Kano Community as Escaped Python Invades Residence, Wildlife Agency Moves to Recover Reptile

Anxiety gripped residents of Daneji Ward in Kano Municipal Local Government Area on Saturday after a large python reportedly entered a residential building, prompting the Kano State Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency (KAZOWMA) to launch efforts to recover the reptile.

The Managing Director of KAZOWMA, Musayyib Ungogo, led a team of officials to the residence of the Head of Daneji Ward to assess the situation following reports that the snake had invaded the premises, sparking fear among residents.

Speaking during the visit, the Head of Daneji Ward, Abba Lawan, said the reptile was first spotted by his son as it slithered into one of the rooms in their house.

He explained that the incident was immediately reported to the police, whose officers responded swiftly but could not locate the snake during an initial search of the building.

Residents alleged that the python was believed to have escaped from the residence of a former Accountant General, Ahmad Idris, where it had reportedly been missing since last year.

Lawan said the police subsequently contacted a member of the former Accountant General’s household, identified simply as Alolo, who mobilised local hunters from Wangara to assist in tracking the reptile.

According to him, the hunters searched the building for about one and a half hours before breaking part of a wall to gain access to the snake’s hiding place and successfully captured it.

Officials of KAZOWMA also visited the residence of the former Accountant General to obtain more information on the incident. However, Ahmad Idris was unavailable, while a representative declined to comment beyond confirming that the python had already been taken away by the hunters.

Addressing journalists, Ungogo assured residents that the agency would make every effort to recover the python and place it under its custody to ensure proper care and safeguard public safety.

He warned that the agency would not hesitate to enforce relevant wildlife laws against individuals keeping dangerous wild animals without official authorisation, adding that such animals would be confiscated and offenders sanctioned in accordance with the law.

The KAZOWMA boss also appealed to residents across Kano State to remain vigilant and promptly report sightings of dangerous or wild animals to the agency, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives, property and wildlife through effective management and public safety measures.