A tragic incident has occurred at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, where a lion attacked and killed its handler, identified as Babaji Daule.
The OOPL is one of the legacies of former Nigerian President and global statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The unfortunate event took place on the morning of Saturday, September 28, 2024. According to a statement from the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, the 35-year-old zoo keeper reportedly neglected to properly secure the lion’s enclosure before attempting to feed the animal. As a result, the lion escaped, fatally attacking Daule by the neck.
The victim’s body has been recovered and transferred to the Ijaye General Hospital mortuary in Abeokuta. The lion was shot by authorities to release its grip on the handler.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy earlier in the year at Obafemi Awolowo University’s (OAU) zoo in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where a veterinary technologist also lost his life in a lion attack.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library remains a significant landmark in Nigeria, dedicated to preserving the history and contributions of the former president.
