The managing director of the Kano Zoological Gardens, Mallam Umar Yusuf Umar, has given the lie to the story of a gorilla which allegedly swallowed millions of naira belonging to the agency.
Umar said on Monday that there is no gorilla in the zoo and that the money was stolen by burglars.
Besides, he said the money stolen was N6.90 million instead of N6.82 million widely reported.
“I was called midnight on Sunday 9th, June, by the head of security that armed robbers burgle our office including the revenue office,” said Umar
“About 6.30am, I left my home for the office and immediately I arrived I met my office and that of all the directors opened.
“Instantly I called the DPO, Sharada police station and reported the case to him. As far as I’m concerned, I suspect theft and nothing close to gorilla.”
Meanwhile, spokesman for the Kano police command Mr. Abdullahi Haruna said 10 staff of the zoo, including the accounting officer, Mr. Lawan Dandadarin, had been arrested and detained in connection with the theft.
He said the statement collected from those arrested so far did not mention any gorilla.
“So far, information collected from the suspects suggests armed robbery case and that of negligence,” Haruna said.
It would be recalled that the governor of Kano State, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje had already ordered the state Anti-Corruption Commission to begin investigation into the case.
The money was realised from gate during last Sallah visits to the Kano Zoological Gardens.
