Nigeria: Lion Kills 35-Year-Old Handler At Olusegun Obasanjo Library Zoo In Ogun

The police claim that Daule, a native of Bauchi State, let the lion escape and attack him because he neglected to lock the animal’s cage before approaching it to feed it.

Tragic events occurred at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday when a lion murdered Babaji Daule, a 35-year-old zoo employee.

The police claim that Daule, a native of Bauchi State, let the lion escape and attack him because he neglected to lock the animal’s cage before approaching it to feed it.

Daule finally passed away from his wounds, which caused fatal damage to his neck.

The lion was shot to break free of its hold on the victim after the police were alerted. Later, the body was brought to Ijaye General Hospital’s mortuary.

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is a popular tourist destination in Abeokuta, featuring a zoo, museum, resort, and amusement park.

A statement issued by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, on Sunday, 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 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.

Before approaching the cage to feed the lion, the lion handler was found to have heedlessly failed to lock up and block the animal’s enclosure.

Due to this carelessness, the lion was able to escape and attack the handler, killing him after causing fatal injuries to his neck.

“The wild lion was shot to break free from its hold on the handler as the victim’s body was removed and brought to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.”