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A disturbing rise in snake bite incidents has plagued the Agagbe Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Gwer West Local Government Area, with 12 reported cases since January 2025. The latest victim, 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen, is battling for his life after being bitten by a snake on Friday, highlighting the growing health crisis in the camp.
According to Terna Ibaah, a fellow IDP, Chagu was bitten while accompanying his father, Kyomke Mbapupuu, to a farm in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward. Initially treated with traditional remedies, the teenager’s condition deteriorated by Sunday, prompting urgent calls for medical intervention. “We are afraid of losing the boy,” Ibaah said, noting that medical personnel only visit the camp from Monday to Thursday, leaving a critical gap in emergency care.
The Agagbe camp, home to displaced persons from villages like Tse Abian in Sengev Council Ward, has recorded 12 snake bite cases this year, with no fatalities so far. However, Ibaah emphasized that the lack of prompt government response has forced many victims to rely on inadequate local treatments. Overcrowding in the camp’s five major settlements—RCM Primary School, Sisters Convent, Saint Francis Secondary School, Old Police Station, and Adzequa Store—has pushed some registered IDPs, including Chagu, to reside in nearby host communities. Despite his registration (ID: 81XO1649), the camp manager reportedly denied Chagu treatment, citing his residence outside the camp.
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has an agreement with Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi to treat snake bite victims among registered IDPs. BSEMA’s Information Officer, Tema Ager, confirmed that Chagu should be eligible for immediate treatment at BSUTH. “If the victim is a registered IDP, he should be taken for treatment at BSUTH,” Ager stated. Yet, logistical challenges and limited medical access in the camp continue to hinder timely care.
The recurring snake bite incidents underscore the broader challenges faced by IDPs in Agagbe, including overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and exposure to environmental hazards. As Chagu fights for his life, the camp’s residents are calling for urgent action to ensure consistent medical support and address the root causes of this growing crisis.
Source: Daily Post Nigeria
