Tragedy struck at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when a male lion fatally attacked its handler, Babaji Daule, in the early hours of Saturday, September 28, 2024. The incident, which occurred at the Zoological Garden within the OOPL, has left the community in shock.
The 35-year-old Daule, a native of Bauchi State, was reportedly killed by the lion after he “carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure,” according to reports. The mishap occurred while he was attempting to feed the animal, which then escaped and launched the fatal attack.
According to the Chief Security Officer of the OOPL, the incident was reported around 7:40 a.m. The lion inflicted severe injuries on Daule’s neck, leading to his death. Efforts to subdue the animal were eventually successful, as the wild lion was shot in order to release its grip on the handler.
The victim’s body was swiftly transported to the mortuary at the State Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident in a statement, detailing the circumstances that led to Daule’s tragic death.
“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 by the Chief Security Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, who 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,” said SP Odutola.
She further elaborated on the handler’s actions, stating, “It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the 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.”
This unfortunate incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at the wildlife park, as authorities investigate how such a lapse could have occurred. The incident also underscores the inherent risks associated with handling wild animals, particularly in controlled environments like zoological gardens.
The management of the OOPL has yet to issue an official statement regarding the tragedy, while investigations are ongoing.