The body of Abuja-based singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who died after a snake bite, has been transported to her father in Enugu State, the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society Choir has said.
The choir, in a detailed account released on Monday and signed by its director, Sam Ezugwu, provided a timeline of events leading to Nwangene’s death, amid public debate over the availability of antivenom and allegations of medical negligence.
According to the statement, the incident began at 10:13am on Saturday when a member of the choir, Stephanie, sent an urgent message to the Amemuso Choir WhatsApp group asking for assistance around Jabi and the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.
“I immediately called her to ask what was wrong. She informed me that Ifunanya had been bitten by a snake,” Ezugwu said.
In a copy of the statement issued, he said emergency arrangements were made as members of the choir, including Vincent, proceeded to FMC, while others also made their way to the hospital.
Upon arrival, Ezugwu said doctors were already attending to the singer.
“She was struggling to breathe, had been placed on oxygen, and was unable to speak, though she tried to communicate using hand gestures,” the statement read.
The choir director said a doctor at the emergency ward confirmed that Nwangene arrived at the hospital on her own and had explained that she was bitten by a grey snake.
He added that her uncle, identified as Joseph, was also present at the hospital.
Nwangene was placed on a drip and administered antivenom alongside other treatments. However, the statement said doctors later informed the team that additional medication, including Neostigmine, was urgently required, as the hospital’s supply had been exhausted.
After confirming availability at a pharmacy near the National Hospital, Ezugwu said he and Vincent immediately went to purchase the medication.
“As we were leaving the emergency ward, I noticed that Ifunanya appeared no longer to be breathing.
“However, since the doctors were still actively checking her blood pressure and administering interventions, I left with cautious hope,” he said.
While they were on their way back to FMC, Ezugwu said they were informed that doctors had commenced resuscitation efforts. Moments later, they received confirmation that the singer had been pronounced dead.
“We returned to the hospital to find Ifunanya’s lifeless body on the bed. We cried, prayed, screamed, but she could no longer hear us,” the statement added.
The choir further disclosed that inquiries revealed Nwangene was bitten on the wrist by a snake while sleeping in her room at Lugbe, Abuja, between 8:00am and 9:00am.
According to the account, neighbours tied her hand to slow the spread of the venom and attempted to help her get to the hospital.
A neighbour’s vehicle reportedly failed to start, forcing her to run about 500 metres to the estate gate before taking a motorcycle to Divine Health Hospital, where she was referred to FMC due to the non-availability of antivenom.
While en route to FMC at about 9:40am, Nwangene reportedly contacted friends, family members and the choir for help.
Ezugwu said her father, Mr Nwangene, who was in constant communication with those on ground, later requested that arrangements be made to transport his daughter’s body to Enugu.
The body was subsequently moved to the mortuary, embalmed and conveyed by ambulance to Enugu after prayers were said at Guardian Angel Catholic Chapel, Lugbe, by the Assistant Parish Priest, Fr Stephen Biodun.
Following her death, a snake handler was engaged to inspect her residence.
“A medium-sized cobra was found inside her room, another smaller snake near her doormat, and a third in a nearby compound. It was concluded that the cobra was responsible for the fatal bite,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, DAILY GAZETTE had earlier reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration assured residents that antivenom is fully stocked and accessible in all FCTA-owned hospitals and public health centres.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, said the territory maintains sufficient supplies of polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms.
“Different forms and types of anti-snake venom are widely available across FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities,” she said, adding that stocking decisions are guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors to identify common snake species in the FCT.
She said the antivenoms are centrally stored at the Abuja Central Medical Stores and managed to ensure quality and cold-chain integrity.
Also reacting, the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, denied allegations of negligence, saying all necessary medical interventions were administered.
“Our medical staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of polyvalent snake antivenom,” the hospital said.
FMC added that Nwangene suffered severe neurotoxic complications and deteriorated suddenly while being prepared for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit.
“Despite all efforts to stabilise her condition and provide CPR, we were unable to revive her,” the statement said.
The hospital dismissed claims of non-availability of antivenom as unfounded.
The Amemuso Choir described Nwangene’s death as a major loss to Abuja’s music community, noting that burial arrangements would be announced later.
