Gorilla swallows N6.8 million generated from tourists in Kano zoo

A gorilla in the Kano State Zoological Gardens has swallowed N6.8 million generated from tourists who visited the zoo during the Sallah celebration.

According to reports, a finance officer at Kano Zoological Gardens made the claim after the amount said to be under their watch went missing.

As reported by the state’s local radio station, Freedom Radio, the finance officer said the gorilla “sneaked into their office” and carted away the money before swallowing it.

It was said the money swallowed by the gorilla was generated from tourists who visited the zoo during the Eid celebrations.

The managing director of the zoo, Umar Kobo, who reportedly confirmed that the money was missing, said the issue was being investigated.

“The issue is under investigations for now and I don’t want to say anything on the matter, many journalists have come to meet me but I don’t want to talk anything. What I can confirm is that money is missing,” he told the BBC Pidgin.

The BBC pidgin had reported that 10 persons, including those on duty when the money went missing, have been arrested.

Also, Abdullahi Haruna, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kano told BBC pidgin that “Yes, it is true that money from five days of Sallah festivities is missing from the Kano zoo.”

He also confirmed the arrest of 10 people in connection with with the missing money.

“As at now, we have arrested 10 members of staff of the zoo including the security man and those working in the finance unit,” Haruna said.

It will be recalled that, in a similar manner, in February 2018, Philomina Chieshe, a sales clerk in the office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Benue State, said a snake swallowed N36 million, being proceeds from sale of scratch cards.