A tragic incident unfolded at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as a 35-year-old zoo worker fell victim to a deadly lion attack.
The victim, identified as Babaji Daule, a native of Bauchi State, lost his life in what authorities describe as an act of negligence.
Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident in an official statement. According to Odutola, “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 Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.”
The police report reveals a critical lapse in safety protocols that led to the fatal encounter.
“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 explained.
In the aftermath of the attack, emergency responders took swift action.
“The victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at the Ijaye General Hospital, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler,” the police spokesperson stated.
