According to the police, Daule, who was from Bauchi State, forgot to secure the lion's enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal, allowing the lion to escape and attack him.
Tragedy struck at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when a 35-year-old zoo worker, Babaji Daule, was killed by a lion on Saturday.
According to the police, Daule, who was from Bauchi State, forgot to secure the lion's enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal, allowing the lion to escape and attack him.
The incident resulted in fatal injuries to Daule's neck, and he eventually succumbed to his wounds.
The police were notified, and the lion was shot to release its grip on the victim. The body was later taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.
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.
“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.”