Fresh details have emerged about the final moments of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya “Nanyah” Nwangene, following an account from her sister-in-law, Blessing Oduche.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, Oduche described confusion and delays after the singer was bitten by a snake.
“The snake is not a small snake. It is a big snake,” she said. “After the bite, they were looking for the snake and Ifunanya was still there. I do not know if the security guys in our compound did not know that it was an emergency because they did not carry her immediately.”
According to her, attention shifted to searching for the reptile instead of rushing the injured singer to a hospital.
“They suspended attending to her to find the snake. So they took time looking for the snake. By the time they came out, the neighbours in the other compound said they offered to use their car, but the car did not respond.”
Oduche said that despite her condition, Nanyah tried to move herself toward the compound gate in search of help.
“She carried the hand, and she was running towards the gate. The distance from her house to the gate is lengthy, but she carried her hands to the gate notwithstanding,” she added.
She explained that the incident happened between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., while the singer reportedly arrived at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, around 10:00 p.m.
Before reaching FMC, Nanyah was first taken to Divine Health Clinic and later referred elsewhere as efforts were made to get treatment.
The singer, who was in her mid-20s, died on January 31 following complications from the snake bite. Her choir group, Amemuso Choir, confirmed her passing in a statement mourning her as a devoted member.
Her death has sparked conversations online about emergency response and access to treatment for snake bites. While some accounts claimed treatment challenges along the way, FMC Abuja stated that emergency care was given and that complications from the bite led to her death.
Friends and church members have since shared emotional tributes, remembering her as a talented young singer with a bright future.