Ebola: Mystery monkey invades Ekiti town, terrorizes residents

In a period when “Ebola is in the air”, the sudden appearance of a mysterious monkey in an estate in Oke-Ila, Ado Ekiti, has sent residents running around for help. They run faster when they remember that monkeys are certified reservoirs of the dreaded Ebola virus.

This mystery monkey in Ekiti is reportedly jumping fences, scaring children, snatching fruits from hawkers and terrorizing.

According to some residents, the monkey was escaped from its owner’s home two weeks ago and since then, resorted to terrorism.

A resident said they invited men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who came and could not kill nor catch the beast when they visited.

Daily Sun quotes a resident, Abiodun Ajayi as saying: “Last Sunday, I invited officials of the Civil Defence Corps when I saw the monkey on a tree. But before it could be shot, it dived into a compound and vanished. It comes and goes anytime and anyhow.”


Appealing to the government for help, he said: “The monkey is real. There is no one in this area who can say he has not seen it. Children cannot play freely again and women are being harassed by the monkey. This is the period of Ebola. Government should please help us.”

In the words of the Public Relations Officer of the NCSDC in the state, Mr. Tolulope Afolabi, “The species is different from the common small ones. It is big enough to cause anyone fears. It has been seen beside Covenant Academy and Upper land areas.

“When we got there after we had been told, we saw it but could not shoot. And then we left after we had given out our numbers. Then they called us again. But we still could not kill shoot it like that. We had to be careful.

“We gathered that the monkey had crossed to the other side of the road now. We want to assure residents that we are on top of the issue and our officers and men are on ground trailing the animal all the time either to kill or catch it. Whichever option is possible, we will do it”