Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is one of Nigeria’s most historic cities, renowned for its rich culture, academic institutions, and notable tourist attractions. Among these attractions is the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, established in 1948 and home to a diverse collection of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Of all the animals housed in the zoo, the lions have always drawn the largest crowds, as many visitors believe a trip to the UI Zoo is incomplete without seeing them.
On a tragic day in 1991, the zoo was filled with visitors hoping to enjoy its calm environment—everyone except one man who arrived with a dangerous mission. His name was Prophet Daniel Abodunrin, a self-proclaimed Christian prophet who intended to publicly demonstrate what he described as the “power of the God of Daniel.”
Inspired by the biblical account in which the prophet Daniel was thrown into a lions’ den and miraculously spared after God sent angels to shut the lions’ mouths, Abodunrin believed he could reenact the miracle. His plan was to enter the lions’ enclosure and prove his faith by emerging unharmed.
According to eyewitness accounts, Abodunrin approached zoo staff and requested permission to enter the lions’ cage. The request was initially rejected as reckless and dangerous. However, reports differ on what happened next: some claim that after persistent disturbance, his request was reluctantly granted, while others insist he sneaked into the enclosure without authorization. Regardless of how it happened, the prophet eventually gained access to the lions’ den.
Dressed in a flowing red robe and clutching a large Bible, Abodunrin stepped into the enclosure before a stunned crowd. As he advanced, he loudly recited Bible verses and spoke in tongues, repeatedly calling out “Jah, Jah, Jah”—a shortened form of Jehovah—while invoking the “God of Daniel” to perform a miracle.
At first, the lions retreated to a corner of the cage, a reaction common when wild animals encounter something unfamiliar in their territory. Mistaking this brief withdrawal as divine intervention, the prophet grew more confident and moved closer, continuing his chants.
Moments later, tragedy struck.
Without warning, the lions charged. Shocked and horrified spectators watched helplessly as the animals attacked. Despite struggling desperately, Abodunrin stood no chance against the powerful predators. Within moments, he was overpowered, torn apart, and killed. His red robe lay shredded and soaked in blood, while the Bible he had dropped at the start of the attack lay abandoned in the dust.
Panic erupted as onlookers fled the scene in terror. Zoo officials later recovered what remained of the prophet’s body, which was subsequently buried.
The incident sparked widespread debate across Nigeria. Many condemned Abodunrin’s actions as reckless and a tragic misinterpretation of faith, while others claimed the lions were spiritually possessed and demanded they be destroyed. The event remains one of the most disturbing episodes in the history of the University of Ibadan Zoo and a grim reminder of the consequences of testing faith against nature.
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