Snake Bite Survivor Shares Harrowing Experience Following Singer's Tragic Death
A Nigerian man has come forward with a chilling personal account of surviving a venomous snake bite, prompted by the recent death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene. Richard Chibo detailed his near-fatal encounter with a green snake over a decade ago, highlighting the critical importance of immediate medical intervention in such emergencies.
The Terrifying Incident in Abia State
Richard Chibo explained that his ordeal occurred more than ten years ago in Abia State, specifically in the backyard of his family home. It was Nkwo market day, a time when his mother typically traveled to Nkwoegwu Market in Umuahia, Ohuhu. While passing through the backyard, he was suddenly bitten by what he described as a green snake, known locally as orira in the Igbo language.
"Within less than five minutes, my chest became heavy, and I started struggling to breathe," Chibo recounted. The rapid onset of symptoms illustrates the deadly nature of such bites, with respiratory distress developing almost immediately after the venom entered his system.
Miraculous Survival Through Traditional Medicine
Chibo attributes his survival to what he calls a miraculous timing of events. His mother returned from the market at precisely the right moment, finding him in critical condition. She immediately took him to a traditional herbalist who administered treatment. Within a few hours, he was stable and recovering, a testament to the effectiveness of traditional medicine in this particular case.
"Perhaps my ancestors realized it wouldn't be right for a Nwa Mba Mmiri (a Rivers son) to die far from home, so they sent my mother back at the perfect time," Chibo reflected. He emphasized that without his mother's timely return and the herbalist's intervention, he likely would have died.
Reaction to Ifunanya Nwangene's Preventable Death
The man shared his story specifically in response to the tragic death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who died after being bitten by a snake in her Abuja apartment. Chibo expressed deep sadness about what he called "a preventable way" to die, criticizing the inadequate resources available in many Nigerian hospitals for treating snake bites.
"What makes it even sadder is that many Nigerian hospitals lack the proper resources to treat snake bites," he stated. "Without an herbalist or someone experienced nearby, a person will simply die."
Critical First Aid Advice for Snake Bites
Drawing from his experience, Chibo offered practical advice for anyone facing a similar emergency:
- Remain calm and avoid panic
- Immobilize the affected limb by gently tying it with cloth
- Seek proper medical care immediately
He also lamented what he described as widespread ignorance about basic lifesaving skills among Nigerians, specifically mentioning Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as an example of knowledge that could save lives in emergencies.
Public Reactions and Broader Concerns
The post generated significant responses from other Nigerians who shared their perspectives on snake bite treatment in the country. One commenter noted Nigeria's troubling statistics regarding snake bites, pointing out that while the country has the third highest incidence of snakebites globally and ranks second in amputations resulting from such incidents, its snake population only ranks nineteenth worldwide.
Another respondent highlighted the challenge of anti-venom availability, noting that these treatments require cold chain storage which is often unreliable in Nigeria due to persistent electricity problems. Several commenters shared their own experiences with traditional remedies that have proven effective against snake venom in the absence of hospital resources.
The discussion surrounding Ifunanya Nwangene's death and Chibo's survival story has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for better emergency medical infrastructure and public education about handling venomous snake bites across Nigeria.
