BY PRINCE EJAKPOMEVI
Following the death of aspiring singer Ifunaya Nwangene, who passed away as a result of a snakebite, there have been concerns among Nigerians about the dangers of snake attacks.
Her passing has since ignited conversations about environmental safety, emergency preparedness, public awareness, and mental readiness.
To gain a better understanding of the situation, our correspondent spoke with multiple people to gather their opinions on the issue.
A farmer who identified as Mr Uche said, ‘’When I enter my farm to clear some grass, I try to be careful because snakes can appear at any time, so I ensure I wear my boots just in case.
‘’Even in my house, there is not one single grass outside because of my fear of snakes, and for the sake of my family staying with me, so I make sure I take good care of my surroundings,” he said.
Similarly, a civil servant, Mr Jude, disclosed that he knows of a friend who recently killed a snake in his compound, which brought fear to the family.
‘’My friend called me three days ago, saying they killed a huge snake just close to his children’s window. Around 11 pm, his children screamed, saying something was trying to enter the room through the window, and lo and behold, it was a huge snake creeping around the window, ‘’he said.
According to a health professional, a nurse, Mrs Udeh Judith, said,’’ Snakebites can be fatal within an hour, depending on the species and the amount of venom injected, so it is best to seek the nearest hospital instead of traditional remedies.
Also speaking on the matter, a civil servant, Mr Uche, said, ‘’Since hearing this news, my wife has started hiring people to clear the grass in our compound for fear of snakes lurking in the grass and harming the children who would want to go outside to play.
