Snakes take over from bandits in terrorising Benue communities

By our reporter 8.9.2025
Social activist Ukan Kurugh has called on the Benue State government to make anti-venom available in the state hospitals as the number of deaths from snake bites keep on rising.
Writing on his social media page Mr. Kurugh noted that people in the rural communities have no access to anti-venom and lives are being lost on a daily basis.
Kurugh wrote: “The rising number of snake bite related deaths in Benue State has reached an alarming and unacceptable level.
“Week after week, lives are being lost, lives that could have been saved if timely and affordable access to anti venom were guaranteed.
“To make matters worse, the soaring cost of anti-venom, driven by profiteering among dealers and sellers, is placing lifesaving treatment out of reach for many. This exploitation during a health crisis is both inhumane and intolerable.
“We cannot continue like this. The government must act swiftly and decisively by declaring snake bite a State Emergency and ensuring urgent intervention including free or subsidized anti venom, public awareness campaigns, and better healthcare support in affected communities.”