By Obinna Uballa
Fear is spreading across parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the tragic death of fast-rising singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly died at the weekend after being bitten by a snake in Lugbe, Abuja.
The 26-year-old, who featured in Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, was said to have been rushed to two separate hospitals in search of urgent treatment but was allegedly not attended to because both facilities lacked the required anti-venom.
Her death is now the third recorded fatal snake bite incident in Abuja in recent years, heightening anxiety among residents about both environmental safety and the preparedness of health facilities to handle such emergencies.
In 2021, a Nigerian Air Force operative, Lance Corporal Bercy Ogah, died after a venomous snake bit her in the toilet of her accommodation at a NAF base on Bill Clinton Drive. She later died at the NAF hospital in Abuja after complications from the bite.
Similarly, in 2015, a young man in Yangoji community in Kwali Area Council reportedly died after being bitten by a snake while hunting near a stream. He was taken to a local clinic but did not survive.
Residents say the latest incident has triggered fresh fear, with many now worried about their safety even inside their homes.
Guardian newspaper in a report quoted a Lugbe resident, Tina Adeyemi, to have said she no longer sleeps comfortably following the news.
“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 step up environmental sanitation efforts and strengthen emergency health response systems across the FCT.
He blamed overgrown bushes, poor waste disposal and inadequate drainage for creating breeding grounds and safe havens for snakes and other dangerous reptiles.
“Routine clearing of bushes in public spaces and residential areas will go a long way in reducing this threat. But beyond that, hospitals must be equipped with anti-venom and trained personnel to handle snake bite emergencies,” he said.
According to him, timely access to proper treatment often determines survival in snake bite cases, stressing that the recent tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to prioritise public safety and healthcare preparedness.
A Karu resident, Femi Omotayo, said she had previously encountered snakes in her former residence near a swampy area, where two were killed. She noted, however, that she had not seen any in her new neighbourhood.
She attributed the difference to environmental factors and the presence of cats, which she believes may deter reptiles.
In Lokogoma’s Sunnyvale Estate, another resident raised alarm over reptile sightings in the area, recalling that a large python was recently killed within the estate.
The incidents have left many residents calling for urgent action to prevent further loss of life, warning that without improved sanitation and better-equipped health facilities, similar tragedies may continue to occur.
