The Chairman of the National Association of Non-Academic Staff of Universities, OAU branch, Mr Wole Odewumi, has given more details about the tragic incident at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, where a zookeeper was killed by a lion while trying to rescue a woman.
According to Odewumi, the incident occurred on Monday, Feb. 19, at the zoological garden on the OAU campus. The lion initially attacked a woman who was also a staff member at the zoo. Olabode Olawuyi, the deceased veterinary technologist, intervened to free the woman from the lion’s clutches. However, instead of recognizing him, the lion became further enraged by Olawuyi’s intervention and turned its attention towards him, viciously attacking him.
Following the incident, OAU authorities decided to shut down the zoological garden on the university campus. Odewumi mentioned that the woman who was first attacked by the lion is currently receiving treatment at a hospital and is in stable condition.
To honor Olawuyi’s memory, a mourning procession was held on the OAU campus, and the university management met with his family to express their condolences.
