Investigation by Weekly Trust revealed that the ‘animal’ sometimes surfaces with a mate and has so far killed about six goats in the area. Reports also indicate that the animals have been reportedly spotted in Jenta Adamu, the University Quarters and Apata area in Jos Metropolis.
Because of this development, residents of Alheri now to retire home from eight to nine o’clock in the evening for fear of being attacked by the animals, despite the vibrant social life the area is well-known for.
Some parts of Alheri are known to be rocky and bushy especially in Utan, which makes it easier for wild animals to hide and hold sway at night. Typical of a speculative, mysterious story, multiple versions of the story abound. While some of the residents in the affected areas believe that the animals do exist, many are of the opinion that it is a ploy by some youths to steal domestic animals.
Some of the residents in the area told Weekly Trust that the animals roar in the night and scare people away.
A source who craved anonymity told our correspondents that some of the security men watching over strategic places in Alheri have quit their job, citing the animals. The owner of the four goats which were killed by the mysterious animal, Mr. Shanka Aware, suspected foul play in the entire matter. He said: “It is some hoodlums and youths who snatch domestic animals in the night, not any animal.”
Some of the elders in the area said such an incident has never occurred. They therefore suggested the need for guardians to monitor the activities of their wards.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command, Mohammed Lerama, said the issue was not reported to them adding that it was a rumour is going round town and advised anybody with genuine information to help the police in order to protect the lives and property. Reports also indicate that the animals at the Jos Zoological Garden Centre are intact, with no report of any missing.
Interestingly, most descriptions given by ‘eyewitnesses’ of the animal tilts towards the picture of a hyena. But do hyenas roar? Animal history shows that hyena only ‘laughs’.
