Three Sn∆kes Were Found In Singer Ifunanya’s Lugbe Residence,” Says Abuja Choir Director

 

“Three Snakes Were Found In Singer Ifunanya’s Lugbe Residence,” Says Abuja Choir Director

He explained that he quickly contacted Vincent, a member of the choir known for handling emergency situations, and asked him to head to FMC.

 

Fresh 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.”