A zookeeper and lion handler at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta identified as Babaji Daule has reportedly been killed by a lion in the zoo.
The library is said to be one of the investments of the former head of state and two-time president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The New Daily Prime recorded that the victim’s body had been recovered and taken to the morgue at Ijaye General Hospital.
The spokesperson of Ogun State Nigerian Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola has earlier today revealed that the 35yrs Babaji Daule was being non-challant by not closing and barricading the lion’s place before feeding it.
The wild animal is said to have taken that as an opportunity to attack him by the neck which led to his death.
The announcement according to the spokesperson: “A deadly incident involving a wild animal attack has been reported by the Area Commander metro. On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 hrs the Chief Security Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library 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 of 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
“The victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.”
Also, in February, a veterinary technologist working at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)’s Zoo, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a lion, who was later shot dead.
