Tragedy struck at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park on Saturday morning when a lion attacked and killed its handler, 35-year-old Babaji Daule.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at approximately 7:40 am within the Zoological Garden of the OOPL. Reports indicate that Daule, a trained handler from Bauchi State, failed to secure the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.

This lapse in protocol allowed the male lion to escape and fatally assault Daule, inflicting severe injuries to his neck. Despite efforts to intervene, the handler succumbed to his injuries.

“The victim’s body was retrieved and transported to the Ijaye General Hospital mortuary,” a source confirmed. To release its grip on the handler, the lion was subsequently shot.

The incident, which was reported at about 7:40am by the Chief Security Officer of the OOPL, was said to have occurred when the trained handler of the male lion at the Zoological Garden “carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the of 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.”

The mobile line of Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, was switched off when HorizonTimes called.

Ogun State Police Command spokesperson Omolola Odutla verified the incident, noting that details were still emerging. “The information available to me at this time is sketchy, but I will provide further updates as more information becomes available,” she said.

Efforts to reach Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, were unsuccessful, as his mobile line was unreachable.

The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols and animal handling procedures at the zoo.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal attack is pending.