Abducted victims recently freed from captivity have revealed the horrifying tactics employed by kidnappers, who used poisonous snakes to terrorize them. Learn about their harrowing experiences and the prevalence of snake-infested forests in Nigeria.
Abducted victims who were recently freed from captivity have come forward to share their terrifying ordeals at the hands of kidnappers who employed a shocking tactic: using poisonous snakes to terrorize their victims. These survivors recount their experiences of being thrown into snake-infested spots, where the sight of snakes was used to instill fear and extract exorbitant ransoms from their families. This article delves into the accounts of these victims, sheds light on the prevalence of snake-infested forests in Nigeria, and highlights the urgent need for affordable anti-snake venom (ASV) treatment.
The Horrifying Ordeals
Victims thrown into snake-infested spots: Kidnappers deliberately targeted areas known to be infested with snakes and would often throw their victims into these locations.
The fear-stricken victims, upon encountering snakes, would desperately want to escape, and this fear was exploited by the kidnappers to pressure families into paying hefty ransoms. The snakes in these forests were not selective in their targets, biting both the victims and the kidnappers themselves.
Survivors recount instances where both they and their captors fell victim to snake bites, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State and Kala-Balge, near Lake Chad, in Borno State are identified as some of the worst snake-infested forests in Nigeria.
Other areas include Shaki in Oyo State, Borgu and Kagara in Niger, Karim Lamido in Adamawa, and Lau in Taraba.
The current heatwave exacerbates the situation as snakes leave their hiding places in search of fresh air and food, making encounters with snakes more frequent.
Urgent Need for Affordable Anti-Snake Venom (ASV) Treatment
The cost of snakebite treatment has become unaffordable for many, particularly the poor, due to the high cost of imported ASV drugs.
Previously, communities would pool resources to purchase ASV, but this is no longer feasible.
Efforts are underway to produce ASV locally in Nigeria to make it more accessible and affordable.
Collaboration with ASV manufacturers from the UK and Costa Rica is being pursued, with a proposal submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria for funding.