Tragedy struck at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday when a 35-year-old lion handler, Babaji Daule, was mauled to death by a lion.
According to the Ogun State Police Command, Daule, who hailed from Bauchi State, forgot to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
This fatal mistake allowed the lion to escape and attack Daule, inflicting severe injuries to his neck.
The incident is similar to another lion attack that occurred in February at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Zoo in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where a veterinary technologist, Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a 9-year-old lion.
In both cases, the lions were shot dead after killing their handlers.
In Saturday’s incident, a security guard was forced to shoot the lion to release its grip on Daule.
Unfortunately, the victim had already succumbed to his injuries. His body was later taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.
This additional tragic event raises concerns about zoo safety protocols and the measures in place to protect handlers from wild animals.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the incident, and an investigation is likely to follow.
