The Ogun State Police Command on Sunday confirmed that Babaji Daule, a 35-year-old zoo worker at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, was killed by a lion on Saturday.
The spokesman for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists. The Bauchi State-born lion handler reportedly forgot to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal. This lapse allowed the lion to escape and attack Daule, inflicting fatal injuries to his neck.
The victim’s body was recovered and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital. To free the handler from the animal’s grip, the lion was shot by personnel at the zoo.
Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson said, “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 the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the Divisional Police Officer that Babaji Daule, a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden, tragically lost his life.
It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before feeding the animal, leading to the fatal attack.”
The park’s management, in a statement on Sunday, said the incident occurred after closing hours when some guests requested a demonstration of the lion’s feeding routine. Feeling at ease with the animal, the zookeeper left the safety gate open during the feeding, leading to his immediate death.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down by park personnel,” the statement read.
The management emphasized that the demonstration fell outside the park’s standard feeding routine and investigations are ongoing.
The matter has been reported to the police for further inquiry.
If i remember clearly, this happened recently, ughhh!