The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident in which a 35-year-old zoo worker, Babaji Daule, was killed by a lion at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Zoological Garden in Abeokuta. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, issued a statement on Sunday, revealing details of the unfortunate event. According to the report, Daule, a trained lion handler originally from Bauchi State, failed to properly secure the locks and barricades of the lion’s enclosure before attempting to feed the animal. This lapse allowed the lion to break free and launch a fatal attack on the handler.
The lion reportedly inflicted severe injuries on Daule’s neck, leading to his death. The victim's body was recovered and transported to Ijaye General Hospital’s mortuary. To subdue the lion and prevent further harm, the animal was shot dead by zoo personnel.
Confirming the sequence of events, Odutola stated, "The tragic incident involving a lion attack was reported by the Area Commander Metro on September 28, 2024, around 7:40 a.m. The Chief Security Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the Divisional Police Officer that a 35-year-old man, Babaji Daule, a trained lion handler at the Zoological Garden, had been attacked by the lion, sustaining fatal injuries."
She further explained, "It was discovered that the handler neglected to secure the enclosure properly before approaching the lion’s cage, which allowed the animal to escape. The lion attacked, resulting in fatal injuries to the victim’s neck, which led to his untimely death."
In a separate statement released on Sunday, the management of the OOPL park provided additional context surrounding the incident. They disclosed that the attack occurred after regular zoo hours when some visitors, arriving after closing time, requested to see the lion being fed. In an effort to accommodate the guests, the zookeeper agreed to conduct a feeding demonstration inside the lion's inner enclosure.
According to the park’s management, the handler, feeling overly familiar with the animal, neglected standard safety protocols by leaving the gate to the enclosure open while attempting to feed the lion. The statement read, "The zookeeper, comfortable in his handling of the lion, left the safety gate unsecured and proceeded to feed the animal. Unfortunately, he was attacked and killed instantly."
The park clarified that the incident was entirely outside the established feeding routine, which is normally conducted under strict supervision and safety measures. "The lion was immediately put down by park personnel to prevent further mutilation of the handler’s body," the management added.
The statement also confirmed that a formal investigation into the matter has been initiated by both the park and local authorities. The management reiterated its commitment to cooperating fully with the police in their investigation and emphasized that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
