By Oginyi Ruth
The Nigeria Police says it has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for the monkey which reportedly attacked a serving corps member with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Power.
The Ebonyi State Police Command said it was tracking the monkey and its owner for onward arrest and prosecution.
It was gathered that the monkey had reportedly attacked the corps member, Esuonye Humphrey, along Nnibo Street Junction on 21st of August, 2019 while strolling in company of other corps members in the state.
The corps member was said to have suffered injuries during the attack.
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The monkey suspect which was earlier rumoured to belong to a tipper driver was later discovered that to have been brought to the Nnibo Junction who wanted to sell it to the driver identified as Chijoke Okafor.
Okafor had reportedly given the children money to buy food for the monkey, and on their way to a food vendor, the monkey attacked the Corp member.
But the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Loveth Odah, while confirming the incident, told WARRI TODAY on Monday that the command would arraign both the monkey and its owner when arrested.
Odah, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said, “On August 21, at about 5pm one Esuonye Humphrey a youth ‘corper’ serving with ministry of power came and reported to the station that along Nnibo street a monkey belonging to Okafor Chijioke bit him on his left arm .
“The victim was rushed to FETHA for treatment and the said driver was arrested, on arrival at the scene by team of police detective but the monkey had disappeared.
“Effort is on top gear to track the monkey.”
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“The monkey belongs to the children who came to sell it to the tipper driver and the driver gave them money to go and buy food for the monkey.
The children left to buy the food while Corp and his colleagues were passing and the monkey attacked him.
“So the monkey attacked them when rushed to FETHA, doctors confirmed that it was not a bit but finger scratch.
“Why the Police rushed the victim to hospital was because of the outbreak of yellow fever and Ebola virus which could be contacted from monkey.
“And the health of the Corps is very important because he is not just a common man but a youth Corp serving his fatherland. For now effort is on top gear to arrest the monkey and the owner”, Odah added.
