“Three Snakes Were Found In Singer Ifunanya’s Lugbe Residence,” Says Abuja Choir Director
February 2, 2026 | News
Fresh details have emerged about the death of 25-year-old Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, who died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, after suffering a snakebite in her Lugbe apartment.
Sam C. Ezugwu, Director of the Amemuso Choir—of which the late singer was a member—recounted the events of her final hours, describing a desperate effort to save her life.
According to Ezugwu, the first alert came at 10:13am when a choir member posted an urgent message on the group’s WhatsApp platform asking if anyone was near Jabi or FMC, Abuja. On calling the sender, identified as Stephanie, he was informed that Ifunanya had been bitten by a snake.
Ezugwu said he immediately contacted Vincent, a choir member experienced in handling emergencies, and asked him to proceed to FMC. He also rushed to the hospital with Paschal, Ifunanya’s close friend.
By the time they arrived, doctors were already attending to her. Ezugwu said she was placed on oxygen and was unable to speak, though she attempted to communicate through hand gestures. A doctor reportedly confirmed that she arrived at the emergency unit on her own and explained that she had been bitten by a grey snake.
Ifunanya’s uncle, Mr Joseph, was also present at the hospital. Medical staff administered antivenom and other treatments, but the doctor later informed Vincent that they urgently needed Neostigmine and additional medication, as the hospital had run out of supply.
Ezugwu said it was later confirmed that Neostigmine was available at a pharmacy near the National Hospital. He and Vincent immediately left to purchase the drug. However, on their return to FMC, they were met with the devastating news that Ifunanya had died.
Soon after, members of the Amemuso Choir and friends gathered at the emergency ward in grief.
Further accounts from neighbours and people Ifunanya contacted earlier revealed that she was bitten on the wrist while sleeping between 8am and 9am. Neighbours reportedly tied her hand to slow the spread of venom and encouraged her to seek medical help. After a neighbour’s car failed to start, she ran to the estate gate, took a motorcycle to a nearby private hospital, and was later referred to FMC due to lack of antivenom.
While en route to FMC around 9:40am, she contacted friends, family members, and choir colleagues. Throughout the ordeal, her uncle and Vincent were in constant communication with her father, Mr Nwangene, who requested arrangements for an ambulance and the transportation of her body to Enugu.
Following her death, the body was moved to the mortuary, prepared for burial, and later transported in an ambulance to Guardian Angel Catholic Chapel, Lugbe, where prayers were offered before it was taken to Enugu.
Ezugwu also disclosed that after the incident, a snake handler inspected Ifunanya’s residence and discovered a medium-sized cobra 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.