CITIZENS COMPASS– A 35-year-old worker of the former Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, has been killed by a lion he was supervising for his boss in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
Until his tragic death on Saturday, September 28, 2024, the deceased, Babaji Daule, was a zoo worker with Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park.
The incident leading to the worker’s death occurred at about 1940hrs.
According to reports, the incident occurred when the Bauchi State born worker resumed at the zoo to feed the lion.
It was gathered that the worker forgot to secure the locks and barricade to the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the lion which escaped, attacked and killed him on the spot.
Spokesperson, Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the worker’s death in a statement on Sunday, said the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
“The Area Commander Metro has reported a tragic incident which occurred on the 28th of Sept, 2024, at about 1940hrs, at OOPL zoo that one BABAJI DAULE ‘M’ 35 years old trained handler of a male lion, got killed by the lion.
“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 the handler’s neck and eventual death.”
“The victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.”
