Help! Benue IDPs cry out over snake bites

Benue map

No fewer than 12 Internally Displaced Persons at Agagbe camps in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State have suffered snake bites since January.

The latest victim, 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen, was reportedly bitten last Friday while on his way to the farm with his father at Gaambe Ushin Council Ward.

An IDP, Terna Ibaah, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH from one of the camps, said the boy, displaced from Tse Abian in Sengev Ward, had yet to receive medical treatment.

“Snake has bitten Master Chagu Terhemen, 14 years, who was displaced from Tse Abian village. Traditional treatment was applied, but it does

He explained that health workers only visit the camps between Monday and Thursday, forcing victims to rely on traditional remedies.

Asked if snake bites were common in the area, Ibaah confirmed: “From January this year till now, we have recorded 12 cases of snake bites in Agagbe among IDPs. Fortunately, no one has died.” Punch