The Ogun State Police Command has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Babaji Daule, a zoo keeper at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, stated that Daule allegedly forgot to close the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
NewsNGR had on Sunday reported that the 35-year-old zookeeper was killed by a lion he was feeding.
The lion was reported to have escaped and attacked the victim, leaving him with fatal neck injuries eventually leading to his death.
“The Chief Security Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the Divisional Police Officer that a 35-year-old man named Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who was a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL, Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.
“It was discovered that the lion handler 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 the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to his neck and eventual death,” Odutola said.
She added that the remains of the victim were taken to the State Hospital morgue at Ijaye, Abeokuta, while the lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
Odutola said an investigation has commenced into the matter.
“An investigation has commenced into the incident. The public will be informed of further findings,” Odutola added.
The park’s administration said in a statement that they were also investigating the event, which occurred when some guests arrived after the park’s closing hour.
The statement said that the zookeeper agreed to display the lion’s eating method in its inner chamber.
“The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by the personnel of the park.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park.
“Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation,” the statement concluded.