2 Die From Snakebites as Taraba Community Cries Out Over Missing Antivenom

(Taraba Map. Photo Credit: Punch News)

Two residents of Lissam Sambo (Pangtso) community in Ussa local government area of Taraba State have d£ed from snakebites within 24 hours, raising fresh concerns over the lack of access to life-saving medical treatment in the remote border settlement.

One of the victims, Elder Bako Awanki, reportedly d£ed on the evening of July 23, 2026, after sustaining a snakebite, while a second resident, bitten in a separate incident at a different location, also d£ed later that night.

Lissam Sambo (Pangtso), a remote community bordering the Republic of Cameroon, has no nearby healthcare facility equipped with anti-snake venom, and as a result.

Both victims reportedly relied on traditional treatment because appropriate medical care was not immediately available, a delay believed to have contributed to their untimely d£aths.

Reacting to the incidents, the Chairman of the Lissam Sambo (Pangtso) Community Development Association, Danladi Bewa, described the d£aths as heartbreaking and lamented the recurring loss of lives to snakebites in the community.

Noting that several residents have d£ed under similar circumstances due to the unavailability of anti-snake venom locally, with the nearest facilities capable of managing snakebite emergencies located far away.

He appealed to the council chairman, Mr Abershi Musa, to urgently provide anti-snake venom to the community to prevent further avoidable d£aths, and also called on the Taraba State.

Commissioner for Health to intervene by ensuring the life-saving medication is made available, stressing that timely access would significantly reduce preventable d£aths and strengthen emergency healthcare services in the area.

While expressing confidence in the commitment of the council and state government to the welfare of residents, Bewa urged the authorities to act without delay, describing the situation as an urgent public health concern requiring immediate intervention to prevent further loss of lives.