TRAGEDY: Lion kills Ile-Ife versity staff on campus

By Editor
The management, staff, students and the entire campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have been thrown into serious mourning following the  death of one Mr. Olabode Olawuyi who was attacked and killed by a 9-year-old male lion in the institution.

It was reliably gathered that the victim,  a Veterinary Technologist in the University was said to be in charge of the Zoological garden of the institution for over a decade.

He was said  to have attacked on Monday by a 9–year-old male lion while feeding them in their den at the Zoological garden located within the campus of the institution.

Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju,  stated that Mr Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, who has been in charge of the Zoological garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Monday, 19th February, 2024, by a 9-year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological garden of the University.

The  PRO added that other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss but the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities.

When the news of the death of the late Veterinary Zoologist was broken in University, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, hurriedly and abruptly ended an on going meeting for an on the spot assessment to the scene of the incident.

The Vice-Chancellor, was informed, on arrival, by the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, that all first aid and medical efforts to save the life of the victim proved abortive.

Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive Lion has been euthanized. It was gathered  that Mr Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago but, tragically, the male Lion killed the man who had been feeding them.

The University management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God who gives life and also has the power to take life.

Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the campus  of the institution, while the Vice-Chancellor, Professor  Simeon BAMIRE, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.