M10News: Tragedy struck at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria as Olabode Olawuyi, a dedicated zookeeper of nearly a decade, was fatally attacked by one of the lions under his care.
According to university officials, Olawuyi was feeding the lions when the fatal incident occurred, and despite efforts from his colleagues, they were unable to save him. The university confirmed that the lion responsible for the attack had been euthanized.
Olawuyi, who had been nurturing the lions since their birth on campus about nine years ago, was described as a passionate veterinary technologist. The university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, expressed shock over the incident, stating, “We never knew what came over the male lion that it had to attack [him].”
The tragic event has sparked discussion on social media, with Nigerians sharing graphic images of the incident. The university community is grieving, and a delegation extends condolences to Olawuyi’s family.
Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, the university’s vice-chancellor, expressed sadness and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Abbas Akinremi, the students’ union leader, attributed the attack to “human error,” citing that the zookeeper had forgotten to secure the door after feeding the lions.
Abba Gandu, a veteran zookeeper with over 50 years of experience in Kano, northern Nigeria, lamented the incident and emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures. Despite the tragedy, Gandu reaffirmed his dedication to feeding lions, expressing that it’s a lifelong passion for him.
Reflecting on his years of experience, Gandu shared that his worst encounter was when a baboon he was feeding bit his finger, highlighting the inherent risks of working closely with wild animals.
