Benue IDP raises the alarm over snake bites in camps

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Agagbe camps, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, have raised the alarm over frequent cases of snake bites among inmates.

One of the IDPs, simply identified as Terna Ibaah, who spoke to newsmen on Sunday, disclosed that no fewer than twelve displaced persons have suffered snake bites between January and now.

Ibaah explained that a 14-year-old boy, identified as Chagu Terhemen, became the latest victim last Friday when he was bitten by a snake while heading to the farm with his father, Tse Kyomke Mbapupuu, in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward.

“Snake has bitten Master Chagu Terhemen, 14 years, who was displaced from his village, Tse Abian, in Sengev Council Ward of Gwer West LGA,” Ibaah said, adding that the boy had yet to receive medical treatment.

He noted that elders in the area resorted to traditional treatment, which initially seemed effective, but as of Sunday afternoon, the boy began convulsing.

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According to him, fear of losing the young boy prompted him to raise the alarm, stressing that medical personnel only visit the IDP camps between Monday and Thursday.

When asked about the frequency of such incidents, Ibaah said: “From January this year till now, we have recorded 12 victims of snake bites in Agagbe among the IDPs. Fortunately, no one has died.”

He added that most victims were being treated with traditional medicine and accused the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) representative in the camp of neglecting the latest victim.

“The camp manager said they cannot treat him because he is not staying inside the camp. But he knows that due to congestion in the camps, some registered IDPs stay with host communities. The victim’s registration number is 81XO1649,” Ibaah explained.

He further said that many IDPs chose to stay with host communities because of overcrowding in the camps.

According to him, five facilities were earmarked for IDPs in Agagbe—RCM Primary School, Sisters Convent, Saint Francis Secondary School, Old Police Station, and Adzequa Store—all of which are congested.

Meanwhile, the Information Officer of SEMA, Tema Ager, explained that the agency has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where victims can be taken for treatment.

“But SEMA has an MoU with the State University Teaching Hospital where they can rush the patient for treatment,” Ager stated, clarifying that as long as the victim is a registered IDP, he should be allowed to receive treatment at the teaching hospital.

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