Gandollar instigates probe into missing $19,000 said to be swallowed by gorilla at Kano zoo

GOVERNOR Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered an investigation into a mysterious case of a missing N6.8m ($19,000) after it was reported that the money generated from visitors to the Zoo during the just concluded  Sallah was swallowed by a pet gorilla.

In what is now becoming a comical vogue across Nigeria, animals and pets are increasingly being blamed for the spate of corruption across the country. According to the finance officer at the Kano Zoological gardens, the gorilla sneaked into their office and carted away the money before swallowing it.

Umar Kobo, the managing director of the zoo, confirmed that the money is missing and that the issue is being investigated. Abdullahi Haruna, a spokesman for the Kano State Police Command, confirmed that 10 persons, including those on duty when the money went missing, have been arrested.

He added: "Yes, it is true that money from five days of Sallah festivities is missing from the Kano zoo. As at now, we have arrested 10 members of staff of the zoo including the security man and those working in the finance unit."

On response to the farce, Governor Ganduje has instigated his own investigation into the story, asking anti-graft officials to find out what happened. Abba Anwar, the governor's chief press secretary, said he has ordered the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the incident.

“The order was given on Friday by the governor and the commission swung into action immediately after the issuance of the order. He asked the commission to look into the immediate and remote cause of the allegation, directing them to unearth everything surrounding the incident.”

In 2017, a sales clerk working at an office for the Nigerian Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, revealed that a snake had eaten N36m ($100,000). In Kano itself, Governor Ganduje has been the subject of several cases of fraud after he was video-taped collecting bribes from contractors.