…Panic in Plateau communities as hyena escapes from zoo
Flood has submerged three communities in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital following days of heavy rains that lasted several hours.
The communities include Nung Obio Enang along Stadium Road, Urua Ekpa axis and Afaha Oku in Uyo metropolis.
It was gathered that the flood displaced residents of Nung Obio Enang community as many buildings within the community were submerged while residents had to find shelter in nearby facilities
Our Correspondent, who visited the area, reported that more than 32 houses were affected as residents were seen trying to salvage their household belongings.
One of those affected, Etop Effiong said the flood had been a perennial occurrence that had confronted residents in the last several years.
According to him, residents of the area experienced a flood after the construction of the stadium road during the Administration of the former governor, Godswill Akpabio.
He said the road was constructed without drainage to channel the water away from the area.
“During heavy rains and throughout the rainy season, we have to quit our houses to stay with neighbours for one or two weeks before the flood water subsides. This is my predicament and other residents of the area for many years now. This house can collapse anytime”, he said.
Meanwhile, the people of Dong Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State were gripped by anxiety as a hyena escaped from the wildlife park.
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The hyena was said to have broken its cage causing widespread panic among residents of Dong and neighboring estates.
Chuwang Pwajok, General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, confirmed the incident and assured residents that efforts were underway to capture the animal.
Pwajok stated that the animal was unlikely to wander far from its habitat, as it was not accustomed to the surrounding environment.
“I received a report yesterday of the escape of a hyena from its enclosure at the Jos Wild Life Park and immediately directed all our staff members especially the park rangers and animal keepers on hand to take an immediate step to locate the animal.
“The effort has been ongoing since yesterday all through today and the report reaching me at the Jos wildlife unit has it clearly that the animal will not wander off far from its abode because it hadn’t been acclimatised to the surrounding environment and all it knew is the Jos wildlife park.
“You know the park is quite a huge span of land and all hands are on deck trying to locate the animal and lure it back into its enclosure.
“So, we’re all trying our best to make sure that there’s no harm to the people within the park and even the animal. We sent out information to the public, informing them of what had happened”, he said.
