A young man of God, identified as Rev Nankur Peter Kundul, has been confirmed dead as a result of a snakebite he suffered while serving in a mission field in Boltim village, Gamakai District of Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Rev Kundul, who was a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, was deployed to the community as a missionary.
A fellow pastor, Rinkyer Asaph, who shared the sad incident on the Christian Daily International social media platform on Monday, said the mission field where the late Kundul served had been invaded by venomous snakes, which had killed other people in the area.
“My heart is deeply saddened by the demise of my friend, Pastor Nankur Peter Kundul of COCIN Boltim, Gamakai, in Langtang South LGA, who lost his life to a snakebite at the Sabon Gida Clinic.
“He died as a result of a snakebite, which has also killed at least two other Christians in the past one week.
“Gamakai is the agricultural nerve centre of Langtang South. Its people depend heavily on farming for their livelihood and food production. The agricultural produce from Gamakai is a source of food security for many families in Langtang South, Plateau and Nigeria.
“But the rising incidence of fatal snakebites in the community is, therefore, not only a public health concern but a serious threat to agricultural activities, as farmers may become increasingly afraid to venture into their farmlands.
“The recent deaths from snakebites in Gamakai have reached an alarming level and demand urgent intervention. Snakebite should not become a death sentence simply because a person lives or farms in Gamakai,” Asaph said.
He called on the health authorities in the state to urgently act to address the snake threat in the area, adding that there was an urgent need to investigate why the venomous snake population in the area was growing.
“Another person must not die from a snakebite that could have been prevented or treated. It is an emerging public health emergency that requires prompt, coordinated and decisive action from the local, state and federal authorities.
“Gamakai is an emergency that deserves a swift response from authorities,” he advised.