Author: Gist Correspondent

The Amemuso Choir has released a detailed account of the final hours of its soprano singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who died on Saturday after sustaining a snakebite in her residence at Lugbe, Abuja, raising fresh concerns about emergency response and the availability of antivenom in hospitals within the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the choir’s Music Director, Sam Ezugwu, the group confirmed that the fast-rising singer died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, just hours after the incident.

“We regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano, Ifunanya Nwangene, who passed away yesterday, January 31, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre due to a snake bite,” the statement said.

Describing her as a gifted and promising artiste, the choir noted that her death came at a defining moment in her musical career.

“A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice, dedication, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by the Amemuso family and everyone who knew her,” the statement added.

Ezugwu explained that the incident occurred on Saturday morning while Nwangene was asleep in her room.

“She was sleeping when the snake bit her. This happened around 8 or 9am. She woke up, realised what had happened, and rushed herself to a private hospital close to where she lives in Lugbe,” he said.

According to him, the private facility, Divine Health Hospital in Trademore, Lugbe, was unable to administer the required antivenom.

“When she got there, they told her they didn’t have antivenom. That was the first major problem,” Ezugwu said.

As her condition worsened, she returned home in search of assistance to reach a tertiary hospital. However, further delays followed.

“Her landlord wanted to take her to FMC, Jabi, but his car refused to start. Time was already against her at that point,” he added.

Left with limited options, Nwangene reportedly booked a ride-hailing service to the hospital.

“She booked a Bolt and went to FMC herself. On arrival, she explained to the medical personnel that she had been bitten by a snake and that the first hospital lacked antivenom,” Ezugwu said.

He disclosed that although doctors at FMC began attending to her immediately, the hospital faced another challenge — inadequate antivenom supply.

“The doctors told us they had only one antivenom, but her condition required a second one urgently. We were making frantic calls, trying to source the second dose,” he said.

Before the drug could be obtained, her condition deteriorated rapidly.

“While we were trying to get the second antivenom, she gave up,” Ezugwu said.

Nwangene was pronounced dead at about 12:20pm, roughly three to four hours after the snake bite, according to the choir.

The tragic incident has renewed public debate about emergency preparedness, inter-hospital referral systems, and the availability of life-saving antivenom in health facilities across the Federal Capital Territory.