Tragedy struck at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as a lion attacked and killed its handler, 35-year-old Babaji Daule from Bauchi State.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning at the Zoological Garden of the OOPL.
According to reports, Daule 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 Daule, resulting in fatal injuries to his 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,” stated a report by The Eagle Online.
Omolola Odutola, spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident, noting that the information available was still sketchy. “We will provide more details as soon as they are available,” she promised.
The tragic event raises concerns about safety protocols and animal handling procedures at the wildlife park.
Efforts to reach Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, were unsuccessful, as his mobile line was switched off.
