Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – In a startling encounter that left a woman shaken and worshippers stunned, a crocodile was discovered inside a mosque in Tobacco Road, Banjul, during the early hours of the morning.

The reptile was found by a woman who had just finished cleaning the mosque and was preparing to leave when she spotted the unexpected intruder. In a video circulating on social media, the visibly alarmed woman can be heard saying, “I just cleaned and left this place not knowing that the crocodile was hiding under this chair.”

Young boys from the community quickly rushed to the scene. With remarkable bravery, they managed to corner and capture the animal before safely releasing it back into the wild waters nearby.

Though unusual, such encounters are not unheard of in the area, especially during the rainy season when overflowing rivers and clogged gutters push wildlife closer to human settlements. Residents of Tobacco Road have reported similar incidents in the past, highlighting the area’s vulnerability due to its proximity to natural waterways.

Still visibly shaken, the woman watched from a distance as the crocodile was released. “I couldn’t believe how close I came to such a dangerous animal without even realizing it,” she reportedly said afterward.

The incident has reignited conversations about urban encroachment into natural habitats, as well as the need for improved drainage systems and safety measures to prevent future close encounters between humans and wild animals.

Local authorities are yet to comment on the incident, but community members are calling for increased awareness and precautionary action during the rainy season.