A devoted zoo worker, Olabode Olawuyi, in a shocking incident at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria, has met a tragic end at the paws of a lion he had been caring for over the past decade.

The dreadful event unfolded while Olawuyi was carrying out his routine duty of feeding the lions. According to OAU officials, the lion attacked him, inflicting severe injuries. Despite the efforts of his friends to intervene, the wild cat's aggression proved fatal.

The university authorities confirmed the unfortunate incident, stating that the lion responsible for the attack has been euthanized to prevent further harm.

Olawuyi, not only a zookeeper but also a vet tech, had been dedicatedly looking after the lions since their birth at the zoo nine years ago. The male lion, which he had nurtured from infancy, turned on him during a routine feeding, leading to the tragic outcome.

The news of the incident has prompted Nigerians on social media to share images and express their concerns about the safety protocols at a government university in Osun state.

The university community is grappling with sorrow over the loss, prompting the college to dispatch a team to offer condolences and support to Olawuyi's grieving family.

Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, the university's head, expressed deep sadness about the tragic event and called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the attack.

Adding to the narrative, Abbas Akinremi, the leader of the university students' union, disclosed to a Nigerian newspaper that the attack may have occurred due to the zookeeper forgetting to secure the door after feeding the animals.

Akinremi lamented the incident, hailing Olawuyi as a compassionate and caring individual who consistently looked after visitors to the zoo.