By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that a zoo worker at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Babaji Daule, was killed by a lion on Saturday.
The state police command spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The 35-year-old was said to have forgotten to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
This reportedly allowed the lion to escape and attack the worker, resulting in injuries to his neck and eventual death.
The victim’s body was said to have been removed and taken to the Ijaye General Hospital morgue, while the wild lion was shot dead.
“A deadly incident involving a wild animal attack has been reported by the Area Commander Metro on September 28, 2024, at about 7:40hrs by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, who informed 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.
“It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
“This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death,” Odutola said.
Also speaking on the incident in a statement on Sunday, the zoo’s management said the incident occurred when some guests arrived after the park’s closing time.
“At their behest, the zookeeper agreed to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.
“The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park.
“Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation,” the statement read.
