Blessing Oduche, sister-in-law of singer Ifunanya “Nanyah” Nwangene, has shared new details about the moments after the snake bite that led to the artiste’s death.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Mrs. Oduche described how people at the scene spent time chasing the reptile instead of taking the injured singer straight to a hospital.
“The snake is not a small snake. It is a big snake,” Blessing said. “After the bite, they were looking for the snake and Ifunanya was still there. I do not know if the security guys in our compound did not know that it was an emergency because they did not carry her immediately.”
“They suspended attending to her to find the snake. So they took time looking for the snake. By the time they came out, the neighbours in the other compound said they offered to use their car, but the car did not respond.”
Despite her worsening condition, Oduche said Nanyah managed to get on a motorcycle to go to Divine Health Clinic, the first facility she visited that night. She was later referred to another hospital.
“She carried the hand, and she was running towards the gate. The distance from her house to the gate is lengthy, but she carried her hands to the gate notwithstanding,” she added.
According to her, the bite happened around 8:30 to 9:00 p.m., and Nanyah only reached the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja by about 10:00 p.m., more than an hour later.
Nanyah, who was in her mid-20s and based in Abuja, died on January 31 after complications from the snake bite. The group confirmed her membership in the Amemuso Choir in a statement announcing her death.
Friends and family have described her as a talented singer with a promising future. Videos shared online show church services and gatherings where members of her choir and congregation honoured her life after her death.
The circumstances of her death have drawn widespread discussion online about emergency healthcare response to snake bites in Nigeria. Some reports said she was unable to get immediate treatment at more than one facility because of antivenom unavailability. Others noted that when she reached FMC, medical staff treated her and administered antivenom, but her condition was already severe. The hospital issued statements saying emergency care was provided and that complications from the bite, rather than poor care, were the cause of her death.
Her friends have also shared emotional reflections, including a video of her best friend tearfully admitting she has not yet been able to write a final tribute and recounting plans they had for 2026 before her death.
