The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on Monday successfully evacuated a lion found at a private home in Victoria Island of Lagos to a zoo in Omu Resorts, Lekki.
The evacuation was done in collaboration with officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and medical personnel from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan according to the Chairman of the Task Force, , CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.
Egbeyemi disclosed that Dr. Ogunmo Bamidele, who led the medical team from the University of Ibadan had to tranquilizer the lion thrice before evacuation.
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According to him, the agency got to know about the lion following a petition from residents while investigations revealed that the lion was brought in from Cameroon by an Indian two years ago.
“Immediately I got the petition, I deployed my officers to the house at No. 229, Muri-Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where they kept a close watch for more than 72 hours before the lion was finally removed today,” Egbeyemi said.
While assuring residents that the owner of the lion will face the full wrath of the law, he warned members of the public not to harbour wild animals that endanger the lives of others.
He also advised people to be observant in their immediate environment and report any strange or unusual activity to appropriate government authority for prompt action.