Following the death of fast-rising Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, a Nigerian Marketing Communications professional, Uche Nworah, PhD, has shared a personal experience highlighting how snakes can enter residential apartments, particularly in urban areas.
Nworah’s account comes in the wake of reports that Nanyah died after a snake bite at her Abuja residence.
According to him, the singer’s ground-floor apartment may have increased her vulnerability to such incidents.
A close call at home
Drawing from his own experience in 2024, Nworah recounted that a friend discovered a snake in the guest room of his apartment.
Security personnel intervened, killing the snake, but the scare prompted him to hire professionals to fumigate the property.
During the fumigation, he said an even larger snake—a cobra—emerged from one of the toilets, shocking everyone present. “It was a wake-up call,” Nworah said.
Connection to Abuja’s Central Sewage System
Further investigation revealed that the apartment was connected to Abuja’s central sewage system, which, according to Nworah, provided a pathway for reptiles to enter through drainage pipes.
To prevent a recurrence, Nworah engaged a plumber to install non-return valve devices on all toilets. “These devices allow waste to flow out but automatically prevent anything from coming back in,” he explained.
A warning to residents
Nworah described the incident as a stark reminder for residents, especially those living on ground floors in cities like Abuja, to be vigilant about potential snake intrusions through drainage systems.
Nanyah was bitten by a snake in her apartment in Abuja. She tied the hand where she was bitten to restrict the circulation of the poison and embarked on a trip to the hospital.
The first hospital she got to did not have anti-venom, leading her to book another ride to the Federal Medical Centre, where she was admitted.
