14-year-old Juliana Agbo was bitten by a snake a week ago along the bush path connecting the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) barracks to her Veterinary layout community in Makurdi, when she went in search of water from a stream.
Agbo, already recovering from the snake’s venom when she spoke with Daily Trust correspondent about the incident at her parent’s home in the Veterinary layout of North Bank in Makurdi, said the wound was healing gradually.
“I went to fetch water alongside my mother at about 8am on Thursday, May 12, 2022 from a pond when suddenly a snake bit me on my toes.
“It was a very bad experience for me but my mother killed the snake instantly. I was then rushed for treatment and now I feel better,” Agbo narrated.
Her elder brother, Jacob Agbo, said the quick medical intervention saved his sister’s life as he explained that due to lack of water in the community, residents scout around or stray into the barracks to fetch water.
Similarly, Fredrick Akusu, narrated how his neighbour, 20-year-old Jimmin went in search of water penultimate week, only to be bitten by a snake.
Akusu said the victim was taken to Bishop Murray Memorial hospital where he was treated and his life saved.
Our correspondent reports that apart from the duo, several others had in the past been bitten by snakes, so the excitement of residents of the community knew no bound when on Tuesday, the Army officers wives donated a motorised borehole to them.
Catherine Shon, a woman leader in the community, said that for 17 years she had lived in that community, many people had been bitten by snakes while in search for water around nearby ponds and streams in the locality.
“We are so happy; we never expected this gesture from the Army wives. Incidentally, our children have been beaten by snakes in the course of going to fetch water from the barracks.