Snake Bites Kill 27 Persons In Taraba

Donga Local Government Council area in Taraba state
has been hit by snakes bites which has so far killed 27
persons, while others lie critically ill in hospitals and
herbal homes.

Confirming the report, the Councillor representing Suntai
Ward, Filibuster Sambo, said efforts to rescue the victims
failed as both the traditional and orthodox medications
are not helping matters.

His words: ”So far, four people have died in Suntai, eight
in Kadarko, nine in Tor-Damis Akate, four in Kumbo and
two in Gayama, bringing the total to 27 persons that have
so far died as a result of snake bites in our community.”
Sambo stated that anti-snake bite and traditional
medicines have not been effective.

He urged the relevant authorities to as a matter of
urgency come to the aid of the affected communities.
In the vein, chairman of Donga Local Government,
Ibrahim Barnabas Pasoki told The Guardian that
following the spread of the snakebites, the council has
contacted the Taraba state ministry of health and the
Taraba state government.

Panic has enveloped the communities affected as several
people domiciling in the affected villages are said to be
relocating elsewhere.

Some medical personnel attending to those injured have
also raised an alarm on the situation, saying the death
toll would increase if urgent measures are not put in
place to make the necessary drugs available to those
affected.

The incident is coming barely 48 hours after about 13
villages were attacked by an ethnic militia group in
Taraba state.

The militia reportedly teamed up with a militant group
to carry out the attack on several communities.