Renowned Benue humanitarian and activist, Ukan Kurugh, has called on the Benue State Government to urgently declare a state of emergency over the rising cases of snake bites across rural communities.

Kurugh explained that the demand became necessary due to the increasing number of fatalities linked to snake attacks, particularly in remote areas where access to healthcare remains limited.

His appeal follows the tragic death of 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen, an internally displaced person residing with his family at the Agagbe IDP camp in Gwer West Local Government Area.

The teenager was bitten by a snake while heading to the farm with his father and later died after medical care could not be accessed in time.

Reports also indicate that the Agagbe camp and several other rural settlements in the state have witnessed multiple cases of snake bites since the beginning of the year.

Expressing concern in a post on his verified social media account, Kurugh decried the inability of victims to afford treatment and warned that the situation was worsening by the day.

Kurugh wrote: “The rising number of snake bite related deaths in Benue State has reached an alarming and unacceptable level.

“Week after week, lives are being lost, lives that could have been saved if timely and affordable access to anti venom were guaranteed.

“To make matters worse, the soaring cost of anti-venom, driven by profiteering among dealers and sellers, is placing life saving treatment out of reach for many. This exploitation during a health crisis is both inhumane and intolerable.

“We cannot continue like this. The government must act swiftly and decisively by declaring snake bite a State Emergency and ensuring urgent intervention including free or subsidized anti venom, public awareness campaigns, and better healthcare support in affected communities.”

Declare snake bite emergency in Benue – Activist tells state govt