The Kwara State Government has ordered an immediate anti-snake fumigation exercise across the state, covering homes, institutions and other regulated premises, as part of efforts to protect residents from rising snake attacks.
The directive, issued on Saturday through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, followed reports of increasing snakebite incidents in several parts of the state.
In a statement released by the agency’s Press Secretary, Aliyu Amode, property owners and operators of regulated facilities were instructed to comply with the order without delay.
The agency’s General Manager, Jide Aina, explained that the move is a precautionary step aimed at limiting the presence of snakes around homes, schools, offices and other facilities across Kwara.
He stressed the importance of strengthening environmental safety practices to protect lives and promote healthier surroundings for residents across the state.
Aina said, “All regulated premises, institutions, and residential building owners across the state are hereby directed to immediately carry out anti-snake fumigation exercises as part of efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.”
He noted that the initiative forms part of wider preventive actions designed to reduce the chances of snake encounters in populated areas.
He added, “The fumigation exercise is a precautionary measure aimed at reducing the presence of snakes around homes, offices, schools, and other regulated premises across Kwara State.”
The agency also encouraged residents to maintain proper sanitation around their homes to prevent reptiles from inhabiting such environments.
According to Aina, “Property owners and occupants were further advised to maintain proper sanitation and ensure that waste disposal practices do not create habitats for harmful animals.”
He emphasised that adherence to environmental safety guidelines is essential to avoid preventable dangers and safeguard communities.
Aina further urged community leaders, landlords and residents to support the initiative by clearing bushes and overgrown vegetation, which often serve as hiding spots for snakes.
KWEPA assured residents that it will continue monitoring environmental conditions across the state while implementing measures to protect public health and promote environmental sustainability.
The directive comes amid nationwide concerns about access to snakebite treatment following the death of Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah. The 25-year-old died on January 31, 2026, after reportedly being bitten by a cobra in her apartment in Abuja.
The incident has renewed calls from public health advocates for improved availability of antivenom in hospitals across the country, warning that delays in treatment can result in avoidable deaths.
