A nine year old lion has reportedly murdered Olabode Olawuyi, a staff member of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife Zoological Park.

A statement by the public relations officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirming the incident said Olawuyi, until his death was a Veterinary Technologist, who had been in charge of the Zoological garden for over a decade.

He said: “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.

According to the statement, 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.

He said: “The 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.”

“Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE, 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. 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.”

The varsity spokesman said the management had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.