At least 16 people have been bitten by snakes across various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State over the past two weeks. The incidents occurred in three camps between late August and early September, as confirmed by Sir James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA), during a press briefing in Makurdi on Wednesday.
Iorpuu highlighted that, thanks to swift medical intervention, no fatalities were recorded. “We have successfully treated over 16 cases across various camps, thanks to the prompt response of our health teams and support from our partners,” he stated.
The snake bites were reported in Daudu 1 and 2 camps in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) and Ichuwa camp at North Bank in Makurdi LGA. Despite the challenges, all victims were treated and discharged, although some treatments incurred significant costs, with one case requiring over N1 million in expenses.
In response, the state has fumigated all affected camps, including the Ikyogen refugee camp, to reduce the risk of further snake bites. Iorpuu called for continued support from local and international partners to provide additional medical supplies and prevent future incidents.
Hyelsinta Hassan