The Benue State Government has alerted the public of the invasion of snakes in some of the Internally Displaced Persons camps across the state.
The executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr James Iorpuu, raised the alarm during the distribution of relief materials to IDPs in the state on Wednesday.
He disclosed that 15 camp dwellers had been treated of snake bites in recent times and that such treatment costs millions of naira.
“In recent months, Benue-SEMA has faced the tragic challenge of snake bites among our IDP populations.
“I am pleased to report that we have successfully treated over 15 cases across various camps, thanks to the swift action of our health teams and the support from our partners,” he said.
Iorpuu further said the incidents occurred in Daudu 1 and 2 camps in Guma LGA and Ichuwa at North Bank in Makurdi LGA, adding, “we didn’t lose any life on account of the snake bites. They were treated and discharged. We only spent so much on the treatment. In one of the cases we expended over N1 million.”
Iorpuu announced that the agency had fumigated all the camps, including the one in Ikyogen to stop the occurrence of snake bites.
He also welcomed collaboration, both local and international, to continue supporting the state in the area of snake bites.
The SEMA secretary disclosed that one of the partners, World Bank would soon commence the construction of 50 units of shelter in Nyihemba in Kwande LGA of the state.
He added that the agency would, in no distant time, begin IDP farm projects in Kwande, Logo, and Gwer-West local government areas.
