Panic as residents kill three pythons in Lagos

Some security guards of Greenland Estate in the Mende, Maryland area of Lagos State killed three 30-foot pythons in the early hours of Tuesday.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the killing of the reptiles brought panic into the estate as residents expressed fear for their safety.

It was gathered that the animals were exposed after the dredging activities of the Lagos State Government.

It was gathered that after killing the pythons, the security guards on the estate put them up for sale for N10,000.

The Vice Chairman of the estate, Sola Adekoya, said more than 15 pythons had been killed on the estate in 2016 alone, urging the government to find a lasting solution to the overgrown canals in the area.

He said, “The security men and some squatters caught the three pythons this morning around 8am. The giant snakes were about 30-foot long.

“We have seen more than 15 pythons this year alone; the guards kill them regularly. The reason is that the canals are overgrown and the snakes always hide under the canals. We need government’s  intervention on time to avoid any tragedy.”

It was learnt that residents of the area always stayed indoors at night for fear of being attacked by snakes.

A visitor to the area, Adewale Adeoye, told PUNCH Metro that he saw the three snakes when they were alive.

Adeoye urged the Lagos State Government to create a zoological garden for the animals to preserve them and generate income for the state.

He said, “These snakes are worth a fortune abroad. The Lagos State Government should conduct a wildlife survey in order to preserve threatened animals and plants.

“How can you be talking of a mega city without a green zone or a biological garden? The young men have gone to sell the snakes for N10,000; a generation of rare animal species gone down the throat in less than 24 hours. This merely reflects poverty of ideas in governance.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, did not pick his calls when contacted by our correspondent and had yet to respond to a text message sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report.