The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has issued a clarification on the circumstances surrounding the death of Ms Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, amid widespread discussions and claims circulating on social media.
Dr Bioku Muftau, Head of Clinical Services in a statement released on Saturday, confirmed that Nwangene died on January 31, 2026, due to severe neurotoxic complications arising from a snake bite.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, the hospital described the incident as a tragic loss and assured the public that its medical team acted promptly and professionally upon the patient’s arrival.
According to the statement, Nwangene received immediate medical attention, including resuscitation efforts, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen support, and the administration of a polyvalent snake antivenom. Hospital officials noted that a rapid but thorough medical evaluation revealed that the victim had already developed severe neurotoxic effects from the snake bite.
The statement further explained that despite efforts to stabilise her condition and transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for advanced treatment, Nwangene’s condition suddenly deteriorated shortly before the transfer.
Medical personnel reportedly initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other life-saving measures, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
FMC Abuja firmly dismissed claims of inadequate response or non-availability of antivenom, describing such allegations as unfounded and misleading.
“The quality of care provided by our medical team meets professional standards, and our staff demonstrated dedication and urgency throughout the emergency,” the statement said.
The hospital also urged members of the public to seek information from credible sources and avoid relying on unverified reports circulating on social media.
