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“How Three Snakes Were Found In Singer Ifunanya’s Lugbe Apartment,” Says Abuja Choir Director
More details have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the death of the 25-year-old Abuja-based classical, jazz, RnB, and soul singer, Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, popularly known by her stage name Nanyah, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, after she was bitten by a snake in her apartment in Lugbe, Abuja.
Narrating the sequence of events that led to the singer’s death, Sam C. Ezugwu, Director of the Amemuso Choir, of which the late Ifunanya was a member, gave a detailed account of her final hours, describing a frantic race against time that ultimately ended in tragedy.
According to Ezugwu, the first alert came at exactly 10:13am when a message was posted in the Amemuso Choir WhatsApp group by a member identified as Stephanie, urgently asking if anyone was around Jabi or the FMC, Abuja.
“I immediately called her to ask what was wrong. She informed me that Ifunanya had been bitten by a snake,” Ezugwu said.
He explained that he quickly contacted Vincent, a member of the choir known for handling emergency situations, and asked him to head to FMC.
Ezugwu said he also rushed to the hospital alongside Paschal, Ifunanya’s closest friend.
“When I arrived at the hospital with Paschal, Ifunanya’s closest friend, the doctors were already attending to her,” Eugwu said.
“She was struggling to breathe, had been placed on oxygen, and was unable to speak, though she tried to communicate using hand gestures.
“One of the doctors confirmed that Ifunanya arrived at the emergency ward by herself and had explained what happened. She reportedly told them that she saw a grey snake that bit her.”
He added that Ifunanya’s uncle, Mr Joseph, was also present at the hospital.
“Ifunanya was placed on a drip and administered antivenom, alongside other treatments,” he said.
“As medical efforts continued, the doctor in charge informed Vincent that they urgently needed Neostigmine and additional doses of the medication already administered, explaining that the hospital had exhausted its supply.”
However, as efforts continued, the doctor in charge reportedly informed Vincent that the hospital urgently needed Neostigmine and additional doses of drugs already administered, explaining that FMC had exhausted its supply.
After several calls, Ezugwu said it was confirmed that Neostigmine was available at Skylark Pharmacy near the National Hospital.
He and Vincent immediately drove out to purchase the medication.
He said subsequent calls to a hospital contact, identified as Chiamaka, initially yielded uncertainty about Ifunanya’s condition.
On returning to FMC, Ezugwu said they found her lifeless body on the hospital bed, prompting an outpouring of grief as members of the Amemuso Choir and other friends gathered at the emergency ward.
“Soon, the emergency ward was filled with AMEMUSITES and other friends, all grieving the devastating loss.”
Further inquiries from neighbours and individuals, Ifunanya contacted earlier, revealed that she was bitten on the wrist by a snake while sleeping in her room between 8am and 9am.
“She rushed out to seek help, and neighbours immediately tied her hand to slow the spread of venom and encouraged her to go to the hospital.
“A neighbour attempted to assist, but her car failed to start despite several attempts. Ifunanya then ran approximately 500 metres to the estate gate, took a motorcycle, and went to Divine Health Hospital, the closest hospital to her residence in Lugbe, Abuja.”
She subsequently booked a ride to FMC and, while in transit around 9:40am, contacted friends, family members, and members of the Amemuso Choir.
Throughout the ordeal, Mr Joseph and Vincent were said to be in constant communication with Ifunanya’s father, Mr Nwangene, who requested arrangements for an ambulance and the transportation of his daughter’s body to Enugu.
“Unfortunately, the hospital did not have antivenom and referred her to FMC,” he said. She then booked a ride to FMC. While in transit, around 9:40am, Ifunanya contacted friends, family members, and the Amemuso Choir.
“Throughout this period, Mr Joseph and Vincent were in constant communication with her father, Mr Nwangene, who requested that they arrange for an ambulance and transport his daughter’s body to Enugu.”
After her death was confirmed, Ifunanya’s body was moved to the mortuary, embalmed, and prepared for transportation.
Ezugwu said members of the Amemuso Board, including its president, Dr Dayo Benjamins Laniyi, who also serves as Mandate Secretary for Women and Children in the FCT, visited during the process.
The body was later placed in a white body bag and loaded into an ambulance, which moved in convoy to Guardian Angel Catholic Chapel, Lugbe.
There, the Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Stephen Biodun, prayed over and blessed her remains before the ambulance departed for Enugu.
Following the incident, a snake handler was engaged to inspect Ifunanya’s residence.
Ezugwu disclosed that a medium-sized cobra was found inside her room, another smaller snake near her doormat, and a third snake in a nearby compound.
“Subsequently, the services of a snake handler were engaged,” Ezugwu said. “Upon inspection of Ifunanya’s residence, a medium-sized cobra was found inside her room, another smaller snake was discovered near her doormat, and a third snake was located in a nearby compound.
“It was concluded that the cobra was responsible for the fatal bite.”
The National Coordinator of the Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development (PIGD), Nengak David, has appealed to residents to remain vigilant and help prevent further violence following renewed attacks in the state.
David urged people with credible information about threats, armed movements or plans for reprisals to alert the police or trusted community leaders promptly, without putting themselves in danger.
“Vigilance means recognising a threat and reporting it early. Tell the authorities where and when you saw it, and give only what you know firsthand. Do not approach armed people or attempt to confront them,” he said.
The appeal follows attacks in Barkin Ladi and Mangu. Plateau police confirmed the deaths of a senior officer and three civilians in separate incidents in Barkin Ladi, while a community group reported the killing of three men in Mangu.
David called on residents to reject reprisals and resist attempts to blame entire ethnic or religious communities for crimes committed by individuals.
“Every killing must be investigated, and those responsible must answer for it. Another innocent family must not suffer because someone chooses revenge or blames a whole community,” he said.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth representatives to bring emerging disputes to trusted mediators before tensions escalate. The United Nations Development Programme has identified local mediation and early warning as ways communities can help prevent conflict.
The PIGD coordinator also cautioned against circulating old videos, unverified casualty figures and inflammatory claims. “Before forwarding a frightening message, check when and where it was recorded. A false claim can spread fear and provoke harm long after the truth catches up,” he said.
David asked residents of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu to observe the state’s 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and motorcycle ban, announced to remain in effect until further notice. He also appealed for food, shelter and other assistance to reach affected neighbours through trusted local groups, regardless of their background.
“Residents can share information and refuse provocation. Government, in turn, must act on credible reports, protect those who come forward and investigate every killing fairly,” David said.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the visible achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will secure victory for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the FCT during the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who stated this after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects, stressed that good governance remains the most reliable metric for political success.
He said that the administration’s performance in infrastructure delivery, particularly in long-neglected satellite towns, leaves the opposition with nothing to offer voters beyond empty stories.
He argued that the tangible results on the ground make an unassailable case for President Tinubu’s re-election, including Sen. Philip Aduda (FCT) and House of Representatives candidate John Gabaya (Bwari Federal Constituency).
He said; “If good governance is a barometer to measure whether a government has succeeded or not, then we have nothing to fear.
“Now, the Tinubu administration has come and it’s not only listening to you, it’s not only caring for you, it’s solving your problems. Why will they want to change their mind?”
Dismissing opposition rhetoric, the minister said; “This is the campaign. The people who will come, what will they come with?
“They will tell them stories. But we have not come with stories, we have come with facts, verifiable facts. I can beat my chest, I can close my eyes and go home and sleep with my two eyes closed, that Tinubu will emerge. I have no fear at all.”
The minister pointed out that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has shifted development priorities beyond the city centre to directly touch satellite communities.
“The Renewed Hope administration has redefined infrastructure delivery as far as FCT is concerned, not just within the city, but also within the satellite towns.
“We thank God Almighty that has given us a President who has come to listen and to change the narrative that development must not only be concentrated within the city centers, but also spread in the satellite towns,” he said.
Speaking on the projects, Wike said the long-delayed Apo-Karshi road project was on course for completion in November.
He also said that the dualisation of the Bwari-Kubwa road, where residents turned out in large numbers to welcome his delegation, would also be delivered in December.
“Work on site is set to intensify by the first week of October as seasonal heavy rains abate,” he said.
. Dismantling the syndicate is another proof transnational drug networks won’t have any space to operate in Nigeria, says Marwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has once again struck a decisive blow against transnational organised crime with the dismantling of a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community in Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Two kingpins: 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were arrested in connection with the operation of the meth lab in partnership with a notorious Mexican drug cartel member, Rodriguez Villanueva, based in Mexico City, Mexico, after several months of intelligence and surveillance on the syndicate.
As a result, they were arraigned before Hon. Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act. After their plea, Justice Segun-Bello has now scheduled their trial for 21st October 2026, following an application by the Agency for an accelerated hearing.
Also named in the charge, and currently at large, are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, who is a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.
Investigations by a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of NDLEA revealed a sophisticated, transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel. Surveillance activities by NDLEA between 1st and 4th December, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States, ultimately leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities was uncovered. The lab, fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus, mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of vast quantities of precursor chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate, and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances, a haul consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.
A related search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators, and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, further underscoring the scale of the cartel’s operations.
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering resolve to track down every fleeing suspect connected to the cartel, and ensure that they all face the full weight of the law.
He
commended all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking yet another international drug syndicate. He described the Enugu lab bust as further proof that Nigeria will not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels, warning that the Agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships would continue to close every loophole exploited by drug barons, whether local or foreign. He reiterated his charge to all NDLEA personnel to sustain the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation is rid of the scourge of illicit drug production and trafficking.
*PIGD Calls For United Response To Plateau Violence*
2027: Tinubu’s good governance ‘ll secure FCT victory – Wike
NDLEA busts Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, docks kingpins over Enugu clandestine lab(Photos)
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