The lion that escaped from the facilities of the Jos Wildlife Park, in the heart of the city, has been killed.

Accordng to PUNCH, the animal was gunned down by some operatives of the Operation Safe Haven, who were contacted as soon as the animal escaped.     

Director of Press Affairs of Governor Simon Lalong, Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, confirmed the killing in Jos on Wednesday.

He said the lion was gunned down before it could do any harm.

Nanle said, "Security men haunted the lion and killed it as soon as they were contacted. So people should go about their normal duties as there is no threat to their lives from the animal."

The lion, which was said to have escaped at about 8am as it was being fed, sent panic in the city, especially for residents in and around the State and Federal Low Cost Houses and Tudun Wada areas of Jos North.

Acting General Manager, Plateau Toursim Corporation, Mr. John Doy, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Wednesday, said the animal had been caged since 1972.