Lion's Escape: Zoo Authorties Make U-Turn, As Imo House of Assembly Declares State of Emergency At Zoological Garden

In what appears a u- turn or  in a bid to contain fear in Owerri over the  escape of a lion from Nekede Zoo, there are indications that both  the Police and the zoo authorities have withdrew the statement.

Police sources in Owerri said the alarm is false and the staff who raised the alarm has been arrested. 

The General Manager of the Zoo, Mr. Francis Abioye, was quoted by a national daily to have said that “it was a false alarm raised by one of the security men at night, no Lion has escaped. It is unfortunate people have been calling me from everywhere, we are deeply sorry for the panic it has caused”


Meanwhile, the Imo State House of Assembly  has urged the executive arm of the State government to urgently declare a state of emergency on the state’s zoological garden, Nekede.

This call was sequel to the adoption of a report by the House Committee on public Petitions, Ethics and privileges on the condition of the garden.

Members however, were unanimous in condemning the deplorable condition of the zoo, pointing out that as the only surviving garden in the South eastern part of the country, special attention should be given for the proper management of the garden.

They also opined that if properly harnessed, the garden would effectively boost the internally generated revenue of the state and further create employment opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths.

The State House of Assembly further called on the government to urgently save residents of the area from imminent danger by repairing all existing habitats of the wild animals in the zoo to avoid unforeseen crisis.

It also called for the upward review of the monthly subventions given to the zoological garden, maintaining that such feat would enable the management take proper care of the wild lives effectively for optimum result.

On the rumored missing of a male lion from the zoo, the House unanimously urged the member representing Owerri West State constituency, Hon. Obulimba Innocent Ekeh, to immediately take an on – the – spot assessment of the zoo to ascertain the veracity of the rumour and subsequently report back to it.