Fresh details have emerged surrounding the tragic death of Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, the 25-year-old Abuja-based singer who died after being bitten by a snake in her Lugbe residence.
Nanyah, a gifted classical, jazz, rhythm and blues, and soul artist, reportedly battled for hours to survive after the bite before eventually passing away at the Federal Medical Centre Abuja, despite desperate medical efforts.
Choir Director Reveals What Happened That Morning
Recounting the heartbreaking sequence of events, Sam C. Ezugwu, Director of the Amemuso Choir, said the first alarm came at exactly 10:13 a.m. via a WhatsApp message from a choir member requesting urgent help near the hospital.
Ezugwu immediately contacted Vincent, another choir member experienced in handling emergencies, to rush to the hospital, while he followed with Paschal, Nanyah’s closest friend.
“When we arrived, doctors were already attending to her. She was struggling to breathe and had been placed on oxygen,” Ezugwu said.
Although she could no longer speak, Nanyah reportedly tried to communicate using hand gestures.
Doctors Confirm Snake Bite, Hospital Runs Out of Drug
According to Ezugwu, one of the doctors confirmed that Nanyah arrived at the emergency ward alone and explained that she had been bitten by a grey snake.
“She was placed on a drip and administered antivenom alongside other treatments,” he said.
However, the situation worsened when doctors informed the team that the hospital had exhausted its supply of Neostigmine, a critical drug needed in snakebite management.
Vincent and Ezugwu immediately sourced the medication from Skylark Pharmacy near the National Hospital, but by the time they returned, Nanyah had died.
How Nanyah Tried to Save Herself
Neighbours revealed that the singer was bitten on the wrist while sleeping between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.
After receiving quick first aid, her hand was tied to slow the spread of venom. She attempted to drive herself to the hospital, but her car failed to start.
Determined to survive, Nanyah reportedly ran about 500 metres to the estate gate, boarded a motorcycle to Divine Health Hospital, and was later referred to the Federal Medical Centre.
While in transit around 9:40 a.m., she stayed in contact with friends, family members, and members of the Amemuso Choir.
Her father, Mr. Nwangene, coordinated efforts with Vincent and her uncle, Mr. Joseph, to arrange an ambulance and prepare for the possibility of transporting her body to Enugu.
Cobra Found in Her Room
Following her death, a professional snake handler inspected Nanyah’s Lugbe residence.
According to Ezugwu, a medium-sized cobra was found inside her room, another smaller snake near her doormat, and a third snake in a nearby compound.
“It was concluded that the cobra was responsible for the fatal bite,” he said.
Final Rites and Farewell
After her death was confirmed, Nanyah’s body was moved to the mortuary, embalmed, and prepared for transportation to Enugu.
Members of the Amemuso Board, including its president, Dr. Dayo Benjamins Laniyi, visited during the process, while the Assistant Parish Priest, Father Stephen Biodun, prayed over and blessed her remains before the ambulance departed.
Her death has continued to spark grief across the music and worship community, with many describing her final moments as a painful reminder of gaps in emergency response and access to life-saving medication in Nigeria.
