Babaji Daule, the handler of a lion at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been slain by the animal.

Additional information revealed that Daule, a 35-year-old resident of Bauchi State, was mauled by the lion at the OOPL Zoological Garden.

The OOPL Chief Security Officer reported the incident at approximately 7:40 am, stating that the male lion’s trained handler at the Zoological Garden “carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.”

Due to this carelessness, the lion was able to get away and attack the handler, killing him and seriously injuring his neck.

“The wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler, and the victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.”

The unfortunate occurrence was confirmed by SP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Police’s State Command.

“On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 hrs., the Chief Security Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library reported a deadly incident involving a wild animal attack to the Area Commander metro.” She added, “the divisional police officer was informed 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 found that before approaching the cage to feed the animal, the lion handler had carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure.”

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