Residents of Daneji in Kano Municipal Local Government Area have been thrown into panic after an African rock python escaped from the private residence of former Accountant General of the Federation Ahmad Idris.
The incident, which occurred last Sunday, has left the densely populated community living in fear as the snake remains missing.
A local resident, Nurulhaq Kabir Muhammad, confirmed the development to The PUNCH on Thursday. “Since the python escaped, everyone has been living in fear. All the other animals in the house were evacuated on Tuesday,” he said.
Other residents expressed growing anxiety about the situation. Rabi’u Isma’il described the atmosphere as terrifying, stating, “We can’t sleep peacefully knowing that a giant snake is on the loose and hiding somewhere. Many of us have stopped allowing our children to play outside.”
Aisha Lawal, a mother of three, appealed for urgent intervention from authorities. “This is not just about the snake – it’s about our safety. We need help before something tragic happens,” she said.
The Kano State Police Command has launched an investigation into Idris for keeping dangerous pets, including pythons and crocodiles, in a residential area.
Police Commissioner Ibrahim Adamu Bakori confirmed the development, saying, “It is true we have invited the former AGF yesterday with regards to maintaining pets at his home, causing tension and pandemonium among residents.”
While the police chief noted that Idris had agreed to surrender all dangerous animals to the state zoology garden, he added that investigations continue to determine if the escaped python caused any harm.
“We have since dispatched an Intelligent Unit of the Command to the State Zoology to ascertain the facts of if the former AGF has truly surrendered the pets to them and to also find out whether anybody sustained injuries or even death from the escaped python from his house,” Bakori explained.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has also intervened, warning Idris during a meeting with concerned residents from Daneji. The monarch cautioned that the former official would be held responsible should any harm come to community members from his exotic pets.
This incident has brought renewed attention to Idris, who previously made headlines when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested and arraigned him over alleged misappropriation of N109 billion during his tenure under the Buhari administration.
