The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that a 35-year-old zookeeper at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, BABAJI DAULE, was on Saturday killed by a lion.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Police Command, OMOLOLA ODUTOLA, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to the statement, the incident was reported at a divisional police station, and was later escalated to the state command office.

The police confirmed that 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.

Meanwhile, the management of the OOPL Wildlife Park also issued a statement, noting that the zoo keeper had volunteered to take some guests who had visited the facility after official hour, but was reportedly careless in handling the lion’s cage.