A tragic incident occurred at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) zoological garden in Abeokuta on Saturday, September 28, 2024, resulting in the death of 35- year- old Babaji Duale, a trained lion handler. The deceased, originally from Bauchi State, lost his life in a fatal encounter with a lion he was responsible for managing.

According to a statement from the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, the unfortunate event unfolded due to negligence on the part of Duale, who reportedly failed to follow the required safety procedures while working with the lion. It was revealed that Duale did not secure the locks or properly barricade the lion' s enclosure before attempting to feed the animal. This oversight allowed the lion to escape its enclosure, leading to the deadly attack. The lion, upon escaping, pounced on the victim, inflicting fatal injuries, particularly to the neck, which ultimately led to his death.

Watch Video Below As Lion Devours 35- Year- Old Man In Obasenjo' s Presidential Library;

The Ogun State Police confirmed that the incident was reported to them by the Chief Security Officer of the OOPL Wildlife Park at approximately 7: 40 a. m. on the morning of the attack. The victim' s body was subsequently transported to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.