According to the Ogun State Police Command, a lion under the care of 35-year-old Babaji Daule, a zoo employee at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, killed Daule.
The terrifying event took place in the zoo, which is just a few years old, the day before.
This event occurred seven months following a similar one that occurred in February of this year at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State zoo. During feeding, the nine-year-old lion killed its handler.
Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technician who was the victim, was reportedly in charge of the establishment’s zoological garden for almost ten years.
The OOPL zoo victim was a native of Bauchi State, according to Superintendent of Police Omolola Odutola, the spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command.
According to Omolola, the victim was a lion handler who was attacked by the huge cat while attempting to feed it. The big cat grabbed the victim by the neck and caused severe injuries that ultimately led to his death.
It was discovered that before going to the lion’s cage to feed it, he neglected to tighten the locks and block the entrance.The wild lion was shot to put it to sleep so that it would release its hold on the handler, and the zoo worker’s remains were transported to the morgue at Ijaiye General Hospital.
The police spokesperson stated: “On September 28, 2024, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the Chief Security Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library reported a deadly incident involving a wild animal attack. The Chief Security Officer then notified the Divisional Police Officer that a 35-year-old man named Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who is a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.
Before approaching the cage to feed the lion, it was found that the handler had heedlessly neglected to lock down the lion’s enclosure and barricade it. This carelessness allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, fatally injuring his neck and ultimately killing him.
Additionally, the management of the park stated in a statement that some visitors arrived after the site closed, which is when the event happened.
The zookeeper submitted to them, agreed to feed the lion in its inner enclosure, and eventually met his demise.
The zookeeper fed the lion after leaving the safety fence open since he felt at ease with the animal. He was immediately attacked and killed.
“Animal care staff promptly put the animal to sleep to stop additional body mutilation.
It’s crucial to note that this behavior was entirely outside of the park’s regular feeding schedule.The matter has been reported to the police for their inquiry, and investigations have commenced.
