Benue Activist Urges State of Emergency Over Rising Snake Bite Deaths

Renowned Benue humanitarian and activist, Ukan Kurugh, has urged the Benue State Government to immediately declare a state of emergency in response to the growing number of snake bite incidents across rural communities.

Kurugh said the call became imperative following the alarming rise in fatalities, especially in remote areas where access to medical care is scarce. His appeal comes in the wake of the death of 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen, an internally displaced boy from Agagbe IDP camp in Gwer West Local Government Area, who was bitten by a snake while on his way to the farm with his father. The teenager reportedly died due to the inability to access timely treatment.

According to reports, Agagbe camp and several rural settlements in the state have recorded multiple snake bite cases since the start of the year.

Reacting in a post on his verified social media handle, Kurugh lamented that many victims cannot afford treatment due to the high cost of anti-venom, warning that the situation is deteriorating rapidly.

“The surge in snake bite-related deaths in Benue has become both alarming and unacceptable,” Kurugh wrote. “Every week, lives are lost that could have been saved with timely and affordable anti-venom. Unfortunately, profiteering by dealers has driven costs beyond the reach of ordinary people. This exploitation during a health crisis is cruel and intolerable. The government must declare snake bites a state emergency and intervene urgently with free or subsidized anti-venom, awareness campaigns, and stronger healthcare support in affected communities.”