Baboon escapes from its cage in Anambra, attacks 13-year-old girl

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

An escaped baboon at the Center for Psychic and Healing Administration in Awka, has inflicted injury on one teenage girl, Chekwube Osita Dinma.

The centre, which is run by Mrs Flora Ilonzo, a popular traditional healer, is known to be keeping some animals for tourist attraction.

News Express learnt that the baboon escaped from its cage and attacked 13-year-old Dinma, who also lives in the same massive property, on her legs.

Confirming the story, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Haruna Mohammed, said: “On the 10/2/2021 at about 8:am, there was a report at B’ division, Awka that a Baboon at the Center for Psychic and Healing Administration, under the management  of one Mrs Flora Ilonzo ‘f’ of Agu-Awka escaped from the cage and inflicted injury on one Chekwube Osita Donna, ‘f’ aged 13 years of same address on her legs.

“Scene was visited by the Area Commander Awka Metro ACP Yemi Ajayi and DPO ‘B’ Division Awka. The injured victim was taken to the hospital, treated and discharged while the monkey was returned to a more secure cage for public safety.

“Consequently, the owner of the centre Mrs Ilonzo’s statement has been taken under caution and she was granted bail on self recognition. The statement of the victim’s father has equally been recorded and investigation is still ongoing.”

Mohammed said the Command is collaborating with relevant government agencies in other to ensure the animals at the centre are securely kept properly to prevent the repeat of such incident.