Residents of Daneji Community in Kano Municipal are in danger as an African Rock Python has allegedly escaped from the private residence of Ahmed Idris, a former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).
The former AGF, who is currently standing trial for an alleged embezzlement of over ₦109 billion and who is said to be illegally keeping wild animals, was reported to have announced the escape of the wild python, last week.
Residents of Daneji, a densely populated area in Kano Municipal, are currently sounding the alarm after the wild animal allegedly escaped from the private residence of Idris.
The escaped reptile is said to be just one of several wild and potentially dangerous animals being kept in the compound of the former AGF; others included two lion cubs, two crocodiles, and multiple snakes.
Locals, shocked and frightened, said the passion of Idris for keeping wild animals was not just a matter of personal eccentricity, but a threat to community safety and a glaring symbol of elite impunity.
“We’re in fear,” said one resident. “This is not a zoo. We’ve seen lion cubs, snakes, crocodiles — all being kept here. Now a python is on the loose. It’s rainy season, children are playing outside. This is unacceptable.”
The animals are reportedly not hidden. Some neighbours claimed visitors are brought in to view them. One resident described transparent containers filled with snakes and lion cubs being fed with freshly slaughtered cattle, all in plain sight.
The python, previously kept in a glass enclosure, disappeared under unknown circumstances. As of last Friday, it had not been found.
Who Is Ahmed Idris?
Idris, who served as Nigeria’s AGF from 2015 until his suspension in 2022, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly orchestrating a massive fraud scheme involving bogus consultancy contracts and real estate deals used to launder stolen funds.
While his trial is ongoing, he appeared to remain both wealthy and largely unconstrained, maintaining a private menagerie within a residential area—a move that community members describe as reckless and provocative.
In the years following his appointment as AGF, Idris began aggressively expanding his family compound, purchasing adjacent houses at inflated, eyebrow-raising prices that locals say far exceeded the market rate.
Reports have it that he allegedly did the same to expand his supermarket, which is close to the house, but closed down by EFCC when they began investigating him.
No enforcement, only warnings
So far, no formal intervention from wildlife authorities or safety regulators has been made public. Response has been limited to informal mediation through traditional channels, with the Ward Head of Daneji confirming to reporters that he had spoken to Mr Idris to move the animals out.
Symbol of a larger crisis
This is not merely a case of an exotic pet gone missing. It is a stark metaphor for the state of Nigerian governance: a man charged with looting billions from the public purse is living freely, keeping predators in a suburban neighborhood, and placing entire communities at risk.
A resident put it bluntly: “It’s like the corruption he’s accused of — it escapes regulation, it spreads fear, and we’re the ones living with the consequences.”
As the rainy season continues and the python remains at large, the residents of Daneji are left wondering: how many more threats must they endure before the state takes responsibility?
The Kano State government, security agencies, wildlife authorities, and the Kano Emirate Council must investigate and take urgent action to dismantle this dangerous setup before tragedy strikes.
Allowing a man facing serious corruption charges to keep wild, deadly animals in a densely populated residential neighbourhood, like Kano, is not just reckless — it is a failure of governance. The time to act is now, before this turns into a full-blown disaster.
