Lion kills handler at Olusegun Obasanjo Zoo in Abeokuta

Abeokuta, Sept. 29, 2024 – Babaji Daule, a 35-year-old handler at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Zoo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was killed by a lion on Saturday.

The lion attacked the handler after he failed to secure the locks against the lion while attempting to feed the animal.

This negligence enabled the lion to escape to attack and inflict injuries on his neck.

The event was reported by the Chief Security Officer of OOPL at around 7:40 a.m. which led to the removal of Daule’s body to the State Hospital mortuary in Ijaye, Abeokuta.

Omolola Odutola, the Spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement.

“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,” the statement said. (GBN)