A viral video showing a giant python slowly crossing a road at the Okomu Palm Plantation in Edo State has sparked fear and surprise among Nigerians online…
The clip, which surfaced on social media this week, captures the huge snake moving calmly across a dirt road lined with palm trees. The person filming from a vehicle sounds shocked as the reptile takes its time to cross. Many viewers described it as one of the biggest snakes they had ever seen in the wild.
Okomu Oil Palm Plantation is one of the largest in West Africa. It sits in a rainforest area known for rich wildlife. Local people say big snakes like this are sometimes spotted in the area, especially near trees or crossing paths early in the morning or at dusk. Some older residents even shared stories of seeing similar pythons years ago while working on the farm.
Experts note that the snake is likely an African rock python, not an anaconda as some social media posts claimed. Anacondas live only in South America, while African rock pythons are native to Nigeria and can grow very large. These snakes are not usually aggressive to humans unless they feel threatened, but their size can still cause panic.
The company that runs the Okomu plantation quickly responded. In an official statement, they said the video of a large snake crossing the road did not come from their site. They suggested it might be AI-generated and stressed that no such incident had been reported in their operational areas. They urged people to stop sharing unverified content and assured the public that their plantations remain safe.
Despite the company’s denial, many who claimed to know the area insisted the video looked real. Some former workers said pythons are part of the natural habitat there, and people should stay alert when driving or walking in such places.
Wildlife experts advise caution in forest and plantation zones. They recommend keeping a safe distance from big snakes and avoiding areas with thick bushes where they may hide. African rock pythons mainly eat small animals, but large ones have been known to take bigger prey.
The video has been widely shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, with thousands of views and comments. Many users expressed amazement at Nigeria’s wildlife, while others joked about never visiting Okomu again.
Watch the video below…
