By Attah Ede
The Ogun State Police Command on Sunday confirmed that a Lion has killed a 35-year-old zoo worker identified as Babaji Daule at Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidential Library in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The command police public relations officer(PPRO), SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed this in a statement he issued and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Sunday.
According to him, the zoo worker was said to have made a mistake of failure to secure the locks to barricade the lion’s enclosure while approaching the cage to feed the animal.
This reportedly allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in injuries to his neck and eventual death
He said the victim’s body was said to have been removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the zoo worker.
He said the victim hails from Bauchi State in northern east Nigeria.
Also the OOPL in a statement on Sunday the zookeeper was taking some guests who arrived after closing hours to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure when the tragic incident occurred.
The Management of OOPL said that investigation has commenced into the said incident.
“The zookeeper, at the heeding of some guests who came after the closing time of the park, agreed to take the guests to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure. The zookeeper, apparently, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal. He was mauled by the animal and died on the spot.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely out of the standard feeding routine of the park.
“Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation.
“The park commisserates with the family of the deceased.
“We wish to assure the public that the park is committed to the highest standard of safety and protection both for visiting members of the public, wildlife staff and for the Wildlife itself.” The statement read
