Residents of Daneji in Kano State can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a python that escaped from the residence of former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, was recovered nearly a year after it disappeared.
The reptile, which sparked widespread fear across several communities in July 2025, has now been handed over to the Kano Zoological Garden, ending months of uncertainty over its whereabouts.
Confirming the development, the Managing Director of the Kano Zoological Garden, Musayyib Kawu Ungogo, said the snake was brought to the facility on Tuesday after it was evacuated from a house in Daneji under the supervision of the area’s Ward Head.
“This python was brought to us after it was evacuated from the house of the Ward Head of Daneji quarters, after it was reportedly found in one of the houses in his area. We then demanded to take its custody in Kano Zoo, and it is now under Kano State Government ownership,” Ungogo said.
He explained that the python will remain at the zoo, where members of the public can safely view it as part of the facility’s wildlife collection. He also reassured residents that the reptile no longer poses any danger to the community.
According to Ungogo, trained wildlife officials have already inspected the house where the python was found to ensure it did not lay eggs that could hatch and create another safety concern. He urged residents to report sightings of wild animals to the appropriate authorities instead of attempting to kill them, noting that wildlife conservation remains important for education and scientific research.
The incident dates back to July 2025, when panic spread through Daneji, Mandawari, Kabara and Soron Dinki after reports emerged that a python had escaped from Ahmed Idris’ residence. At the time, a crocodile and a lion cub kept on the property were immediately relocated to the Kano Zoological Garden, while the missing python could not be found.
Authorities had explained that Idris legally kept the animals under Nigeria’s Wild Animal Law, which permits licensed individuals to own certain wild animals provided they maintain suitable habitats and renew their permits annually. Officials also noted that endangered species and mature wild animals must eventually be transferred to accredited zoos for conservation purposes.
The recovery of the python has now brought a close to one of Kano’s most talked-about wildlife incidents, with zoo authorities assuring residents that the animal is securely housed and no longer poses a threat to the public.
