No fewer than 12 internally displaced persons in Agagbe, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, have been bitten by snakes between January and September this year.
One of the displaced persons, Terna Ibaah, who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday, said the latest victim was a 14-year-old boy, Chagu Terhemen, who was attacked by a snake last Friday. He noted that the teenager had yet to receive proper medical attention.
Ibaah said, “Snake has bitten Master Chagu Terhemen, 14 years, who was displaced from his village, Tse Abian, in the Sengev Council Ward of Gwer West LGA.
“The 14-year-old boy was going to the farm with his father, Tse Kyomke Mbapupuu, in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward when he was bitten by a snake.”
He explained that traditional medicine was applied on the boy, but his condition worsened as he began convulsing on Sunday. Ibaah added that medical personnel only visited the camps between Mondays and Thursdays, forcing residents to raise alarm over the boy’s state.
When asked about the frequency of such incidents, Ibaah said, “From January this year till now, we have recorded 12 victims of snake bites in Agagbe among the IDPs. Fortunately, no one has died.”
He also accused the representative of the State Emergency Management Agency in the camp of neglect, claiming the official refused to treat Terhemen because he was staying outside the camp due to congestion.
“The camp manager said that they cannot treat him because he is not staying in the camp, but he knows that due to congestion in the camps, some of the registered IDPs stay with the host community. The victim registration number is 81XO1649,” Ibaah said.
Responding, the Information Officer of SEMA, Tema Ager, said the agency had a standing arrangement with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, to handle such emergencies.
Ager said, “But SEMA has an MOU with the State University Teaching Hospital, where they can rush the patient for treatment.”
He stressed that registered IDPs are entitled to treatment at the hospital under the agreement.