Tragedy struck at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as a lion attacked and killed its handler, Babaji Daule. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, according to Vanguard sources.
Daule, a 35-year-old from Bauchi State, was a trained handler of the male lion at the Zoological Garden of the OOPL. However, his carelessness proved to be his downfall. He failed to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal, allowing the lion to escape and attack him.
The attack occurred at around 7:40am on Saturday, and the Chief Security Officer of the OOPL reported the incident to the police. The police spokesperson for the Ogun State command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, stating that a “deadly incident involving a wild animal attack” had been reported.
The spokesperson explained that Daule’s negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack him, resulting in fatal injuries to his neck and eventual death. The victim’s body was taken to the State Hospital’s mortuary in Abeokuta for autopsy, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on Daule’s body.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and responsible handling of wild animals.
