The tragic death of fast-rising singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who died at the weekend after being bitten by a snake in Lugbe, Abuja, has sparked widespread fear and concern among residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
The 26-year-old singer, who featured in Season 3 of The Voice Nigeria, was reportedly taken to two separate hospitals in search of urgent medical care, but was left without treatment after both facilities were said to lack the required anti-venom.
Nwangene’s death marks the third fatal incident in Abuja in which a snake bite has claimed the life of a resident.
Nigeria is 19th in global snake population. According to the data, Nigeria has an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 cases of snakebites annually, with around 2,000 deaths and 1,700 to 2,000 amputations. The country is indeed among the worst affected by snakebites globally.
Here are views of Abuja resident on this development.