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.”
