- Abuja Residents Raise Alarm After Third Fatal Snake Bite Incident
- In 2021, a Nigerian Air Force operative, Lance Corporal Bercy Ogah, died after being bitten by a venomous snake in the toilet
- Nduka also urged government agencies to ensure that hospitals particularly public health facilities are adequately stocked
The death of fast-rising singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly died at the weekend after being bitten by a snake in Lugbe, Abuja, has triggered widespread fear and renewed safety concerns among residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Nwangene, 26, who gained national recognition after featuring in Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, was said to have been rushed to two different hospitals in search of urgent medical attention. However, she allegedly did not receive treatment after both facilities were reported to lack the required anti-venom.
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Eko Hot Blog gathered that her death is the third recorded fatal snake bite incident in Abuja, raising alarm over environmental safety and emergency healthcare preparedness in the nation’s capital.
In 2021, a Nigerian Air Force operative, Lance Corporal Bercy Ogah, died after being bitten by a venomous snake in the toilet of her accommodation at a NAF base on Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja. She later died at the NAF hospital following complications from the bite.
Similarly, in 2015, a young man reportedly died in Yangoji community, Kwali Area Council, after being bitten by a snake while hunting near a stream. He was taken to a local clinic but later succumbed.
Residents across the FCT say the repeated incidents have heightened anxiety, particularly in residential communities close to bushy or swampy areas.
A Lugbe resident, Tina Adeyemi, told reporters that she now lives in constant fear following the singer’s death.
“Since we heard about what happened to that young lady, everyone around here has been living in fear. You don’t know where these snakes are hiding anymore. Even inside the house, you’re not at peace,” she said.
Another resident, John Nduka, called on relevant authorities to urgently intensify environmental sanitation and improve emergency health response systems across the FCT.
He blamed overgrown bushes, poor waste disposal and inadequate drainage for creating breeding grounds for snakes and other reptiles, stressing that routine clearing of public and residential spaces would significantly reduce the risks.
Nduka also urged government agencies to ensure that hospitals particularly public health facilities are adequately stocked with anti-venom and staffed with trained personnel capable of handling snake bite emergencies.
“Timely access to proper treatment can mean the difference between life and death. This tragedy should be a wake-up call for authorities to prioritise public safety and healthcare readiness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Femi Omotayo, a resident of Karu, said she had encountered snakes in her former residence, which was close to a swamp, but none since relocating.
“My new neighbourhood has many cats, and I think that may be why snakes are not seen here,” she noted.
Residents of Sunnyvale Estate, Lokogoma, also raised concerns about reptile infestation. A resident disclosed that a large python was recently killed within the estate, while a journalist living there, who declined to be named, said he had personally killed two snakes in his apartment.
