A giant king cobra was spotted at Abuja Millennium Park, the largest recreational area in Abuja, located near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, on Saturday morning. 

Frontline rights activist and law professor Chidi Odinkalu, who was at the site for social work with three others, reported to The Gazette that the massive reptile emerged from its hole and raised its head, presumably preparing to strike with its enlarged fangs. 

While Mr Odinkalu managed to capture a photo of the snake, his companions fled the scene in fear, he said. He posted a photo of the snake on the microblogging platform X on Saturday afternoon.

The sighting of the king cobra, a species believed to have disappeared from the area, highlights the poor maintenance of the parks by Abuja municipal authorities. Transcorp Hilton, a popular destination for tourists, diplomats, and business leaders, is located nearby, raising safety concerns there and other city centre spots. 

As of Sunday afternoon, a spokesman for the Abuja municipal office had not responded to requests for comment on the matter. 

A king cobra of the type seen by Mr Odinkalu is believed to be the largest venomous reptile on earth and can grow up to six metres long. 

Snake populations in Abuja have largely faded since the area was designated as Nigeria’s capital in the 1970s. However, as of the mid-2000s, residents were still frequently sighting snakes, prompting federal authorities to tighten control of such animals around recreational facilities.

This reappearance could suggest a return of venomous reptiles like the king cobra after more than 15 years of scarce reports of similar sightings by residents.