“Three snakes found at Nanyah’s apartment after bite” – Abuja Choir Director

Fresh details have emerged surrounding the death of 25-year-old Abuja-based singer, Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, who died after being bitten by a snake in her Lugbe residence.

The classical, jazz, rhythm and blues, and soul artist was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, but efforts to save her life proved unsuccessful.

Choir Director Details Final Hours

Sam C. Ezugwu, Director of the Amemuso Choir, of which Nanyah was a member, recounted the frantic events leading to her death.

According to him, the first alert came at 10:13 a.m. via a WhatsApp message from a choir member seeking urgent help near the Federal Medical Centre.

He quickly contacted Vincent, another choir member skilled in emergencies, to rush to the hospital, while he and Paschal, Nanyah’s closest friend, followed immediately.

Race Against Time at the Federal Medical Centre

Upon arrival, doctors were already attending to Nanyah, who was struggling to breathe and placed on oxygen.

Though unable to speak, she reportedly used hand gestures to communicate. One of the doctors confirmed that she arrived at the emergency ward alone, explaining that a grey snake had bitten her.

She was administered antivenom and other treatments, but the Federal Medical Centre ran out of the necessary drug, Neostigmine.

Ezugwu and Vincent immediately sourced the medication from Skylark Pharmacy near the National Hospital. Unfortunately, by the time they returned, Nanyah had passed away.

Struggle to Get Help

Neighbours revealed that Nanyah was bitten on the wrist while sleeping between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning.

After immediate first aid, she attempted to drive to the hospital, but her car failed.

She then ran about 500 metres to the estate gate, hired a motorcycle, and went to Divine Health Hospital before booking a ride to the Federal Medical Centre.

During the ordeal, she kept in touch with friends, family, and choir members.

Her father, Mr Nwangene, coordinated with Vincent and her uncle, Mr Joseph, to arrange for an ambulance and eventual transportation of her body to Enugu.

Inspection Reveals Multiple Snakes

Following her death, a professional snake handler inspected her Lugbe residence.

Ezugwu disclosed that a medium-sized cobra was found in her room, a smaller snake near her doormat, and a third in a nearby compound.

The fatal bite was confirmed to have been caused by the cobra.

In his words: “I immediately called her to ask what was wrong. She informed me that Ifunanya had been bitten by a snake.”

“I quickly contacted Vincent, a member of the choir known for handling emergency situations, and asked him to head to the Federal Medical Centre.”

“When I arrived at the hospital with Paschal, Ifunanya’s closest friend, the doctors were already attending to her.”

“She was struggling to breathe, had been placed on oxygen, and was unable to speak, though she tried to communicate using hand gestures.”

“One of the doctors confirmed that Ifunanya arrived at the emergency ward by herself and had explained what happened. She reportedly told them that she saw a grey snake that bit her.”

“Ifunanya was placed on a drip and administered antivenom, alongside other treatments.”

“As medical efforts continued, the doctor in charge informed Vincent that they urgently needed Neostigmine and additional doses of the medication already administered, explaining that the hospital had exhausted its supply.”

“She was bitten on the wrist by a snake while sleeping in her room between eight and nine in the morning. She rushed out to seek help, and neighbours immediately tied her hand to slow the spread of venom and encouraged her to go to the hospital.”

“A neighbour attempted to assist, but her car failed to start despite several attempts. Ifunanya then ran approximately five hundred metres to the estate gate, took a motorcycle, and went to Divine Health Hospital, the closest hospital to her residence in Lugbe, Abuja.”

“She subsequently booked a ride to the Federal Medical Centre and, while in transit around nine forty in the morning, contacted friends, family members, and members of the Amemuso Choir.”

“Throughout this period, Mr Joseph and Vincent were in constant communication with her father, Mr Nwangene, who requested that they arrange for an ambulance and the transportation of his daughter’s body to Enugu.”

“Unfortunately, the hospital did not have antivenom and referred her to the Federal Medical Centre.”

“Upon inspection of Ifunanya’s residence, a medium-sized cobra was found inside her room, another smaller snake was discovered near her doormat, and a third snake was located in a nearby compound. It was concluded that the cobra was responsible for the fatal bite.”

“After her death was confirmed, Ifunanya’s body was moved to the mortuary, embalmed, and prepared for transportation. Members of the Amemuso Board, including its president, Dr Dayo Benjamins Laniyi, visited during the process.”

“There, the Assistant Parish Priest, Father Stephen Biodun, prayed over and blessed her remains before the ambulance departed for Enugu.”