Fear has gripped residents of Owerri and environs over the escape of a hungry lion from the Nekede Zoo, just as contradictory tales has continued to trail how the lion escaped from its cage.
Some of the stories of the Lion’s escape range from the sublime to the ridiculous
State owned radio Station was said to have made a broadcast last night to announce the lion’s escape from its cage and nearby schools in the area were reportedly shut down.
A resident in the area who spoke to this blog said he had stop his 6 year old pupil from going to school when he learnt of the Lion’s escape.
Hundreds of people were sighted at the zoo premises, located few kiolmetres to Owerri city, capital of Imo State ostensibly wondering how the lion escaped.
Aside the radio announcement, there has not been another statement from the zoo authorities, though it was learnt there are ongoing moves to track and apprehend the lion
The Nekede zoo is surrounded by remote villages, except Nekede ancient kingdom, an old settlement that has lately witnessed some level of urbanization. Other neigbouring villages to where the zoo is located is Ihiagwa, where the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) is situated and New Owerri, where high profile individuals live and hotels and nightlife night clubs operate.
A zoologist, Nelson Okeke said the escaped lion may hibernate in areas considered not to be noisy as it is likely to migrate to areas where there is less noise and “compatible to it’s habitat”
Some residents in Owerri city expressed mixed feelings over the escape of the lion. Some said it is doubtful, describing the report as mere rumour, while those who claimed they heard the announcement on the radio said danger looms in the city as long as the lion remains uncaged.
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