In a tragic turn of events at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, a lion mauled its handler, Babaji Daule, leading to his untimely death.
The library, a significant legacy of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian Head of State and two-time elected President, witnessed this unfortunate incident on the morning of September 29, 2024.
The distressing event reportedly unfolded early Saturday when, according to sources, the trained handler “carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal,” as reported by a local paper.
This oversight resulted in the lion escaping its confinement and launching a fatal attack on Daule, causing severe injuries to his neck.
The Chief Security Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) reported the incident at approximately 7:40 am. Following the attack, emergency responders removed Daule’s body and transported it to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.
The lion was subsequently shot to release its grip on the handler, according to YOUNEWS.
In response to inquiries, Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
