Kwara State Launches Statewide Anti-Snake Fumigation Exercise

Dayo Thomas

The Kwara State Government has ordered an immediate anti-snake fumigation exercise across residential buildings, institutions, and regulated premises to curb the rising threat of snake attacks. This directive, issued by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), aims to reduce snake encounters in populated areas

KWEPA’s General Manager, Jide Aina, emphasized the importance of environmental sanitation, urging residents to clear bushes and overgrown vegetation that serve as snake habitats and ensure proper waste disposal practices. This move comes amid growing concerns nationwide about antivenom availability in hospitals, highlighted by the tragic death of Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who succumbed to a cobra bite in Abuja

Nigeria faces a significant challenge with antivenom shortages, with approximately 20,000 snakebite incidents recorded annually and about 2,000 deaths. The Federal Government has taken steps to address this issue, including procuring antivenom vials and scaling up treatment centers from 2 to 25 nationwide