“Nigerian horror film in reality!!” That is what Anny Brown, a Netizen, called the events leading up to the death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene and how comments trailing her demise have set social media on fire.
Since the news about Ifunanya’s death, caused by a snake bite broke, there has been palpable fear in many. On social media, many confessed to having become very sensitive to their environment irrespective of how posh the area is. Disruptive sleep is now the order of the day because people are afraid that a snake will crawl up to their beds, bite them, and send them to an early grave. Yours truly is not left out of this haunting fear. Every unusual movement around the house now is suspected to be made by a snake. No one should be blamed because every commentary on the internet now is almost all about snakes. The worst is that they are posted with photos of the deadly creature. Everyone has become a snake expert, advising on what to, or not do when bitten. Haba! This isn’t the best for our mental health now.
Have you ever listened to late Ifunanya sing? Her voice was angelic. That, aside from what led to her demise on January 31, 2026, is why the internet is on fire.
Ifunanya was first spotted in 2021 on The Voice Nigeria. Her jazz-operatic rendition of American singer Rihanna’s “Take A Bow,” endeared her to many.
The 26-year-old Abuja-based classical, Jazz, R&B, and Soul singer, popularly known as Nanyah, was a gifted soprano and a shining voice. All that now is gone, leaving her Amemuso Choir Group, teeming fans and family in pain and fear.
A young woman losing her life in such tragic circumstances is heart-wrenching. More heartbreaking is that from stories making the rounds on social media, she made every effort to stay alive, but the system failed her. Yes, the system failed her because the first hospital she was taken to, shouldn’t be without an anti-venom.
She was said to have gone to the hospital by herself after the snake bite. Accounts have it that she was given the correct treatment at the second hospital. If they did, why did she still die? Was the treatment given late? Since it was a case of snake bite, couldn’t the first hospital know what first-aid to apply before making a referral since they didn’t have anti-venom? A lot of things do not add up in Ifunanya’s death. This is why social media is on fire. Netizens are mourning and saying all sorts of things. Many claim her death was caused by a spiritual attack. Here’s what Kingsley Nnayelu wrote, “Nothing anyone wan tell me! Those 2 cobra snakes in her apartment were sent. It’s a known thing in Abuja for the diabolics to send snakes on missions. I’ve heard stories of people going to work and finding snakes in their office cabinets that were locked with keys. I’m talking about state-of- the art offices in Abuja. Nanya was a threat to someone. Be vigilant and prayerful, guys!”
For Lekan Onaolapo, a journalist and fan of the deceased, the death goes beyond the ordinary. According to him, “This is spiritual, it is not ordinary. There are many questions begging for answers. How did the snake get into the house?
“How on earth will a snake go into her room, climb the bed and bite her when the house is not surrounded by bush. This goes beyond the physical. The life of such a promising young lady was cut short. It is really disheartening”, he stated.
Many are even suggesting that her Surname- Nwangene, meaning child of a river (Ngene is actually the name of a river in Igboland), is responsible for her death. They’re now advising people to change surnames if they don’t understand the meaning.
As stated by some users, the cobras were two. So, how is it possible that two cobras would invade Ifunanya’s house and bite her to death? She wasn’t living in the village or swamp but in Abuja; the Federal Capital Territory.
Even a Facebook page – Anonymous Groups, made two posts – one dated November 26, 2025, claiming to have warned her against three snakes that her enemies planned using to end her life. The second post announced her obituary. Now, how’s that possible? Of course, we know too well not to believe everything on social media, which was why some Netizens replied that people usually use AI to generate such manipulative posts.
There’s another claim that while conveying Ifunanya’s corpse to Enugu, the ambulance broke down. While they waited for another ambulance, a snake was seen under the ambulance; it was killed. Hmnn! If this is a made-up story just to make people believe the snake bite was diabolic, then it’s unfortunate how people cash in on tragedy just for content.
After all said and done, many Nigerians believe that Ifunanya would still be alive if she had received prompt treatment. Take a look.
Jennifer Ifynwa wrote, “Imagine a country without a snake Antidote. In the city of Abuja at that. She walked to the hospital by herself but returned in a body bag. But…. something seems to be fishy, two cobras in her room. Hmnn! Rest in Peace, Ifunanya.”
Janet Idam commented, “This is an everyday occurrence. It only makes the news when it involves notable individuals. To think there was no antivenom in about two hospitals she was taken to, according to the story, is shameful! What do we have in our emergency trays, then? Why on earth are these places called ‘emergencies’ if basic life support medications cannot be found there? Heavens, hear our cry. Let our government choose priorities right to avert careless deaths like this. Sorry, sweetheart, that our country you gave so much to failed you. Rest easy, Nanya.”
Obinna Udenwe wrote, “Reading all the posts and comments on the death of this singer, Ifunanya Nwangene leaves me with a feeling of sadness and despair. Sad that a young, vibrant, and promising woman lost her life in such a tragic manner. Despair that she did everything possible to save her life, yet our system failed her.
Again, this incident and the death of Chinamanda Adichie’s son a few weeks back should call attention to the rot in our health care system. But again, the government will do nothing…
We need to prioritize the health and education and security of our people, more than anything else. It should be the beginning and end of every government’s policy…”
Simeon Inyam insists that treatment came late. “The point is that the anti-venom came quite late. That’s the point. If it came earlier, who knows? She would have survived.”
Halimat Omotine wrote, “If the anti-venom was made available, she wouldn’t have been going around when she was already weak…What is the government doing about this? They will do nothing because their children are not in this God-forsaken country.”
Mallam exalted reacted, “Kaii Nigeria happened to this one again…. I’m speechless.”
It’s high time the government looked into the health sector with a view to addressing the rot there. Too many lives have been lost due to errors, carelessness, and inefficiency. Experts say snake bites are treatable with prompt administration of anti-venom. So why can’t we have it in hospitals, healthcare centres, and even pharmacies?
This is why the suggestion by Fada Oluoma on his facebook page is crucial. “Death is inevitable for everybody, but Ifunanya’s death was totally avoidable.” he stated, adding, “She was bitten by a snake around 8am, but she could only get to a hospital with anti-venom around 10am in the FCT of the country regarded as the Giant of Africa.
“She lives around Trademore Estate in Lugbe. Imagine how many hospitals around that area she must have run to for treatment only to be told no anti venom. For goodness sake, anti-venom should be in any and every pharmacy licensed by the government…
If Ifunanya had gotten an anti venom shot within an hour of the bite, she would have survived. Stories of people bitten by snakes aren’t new in Nigeria, and yet they keep getting fatal for the same reason; government’s carelessness and the ‘anyhowness’ in the country.
Snakes are not like mosquitoes that we see every time, but just one unfortunate encounter with one can be life threatening. This is why anti venom should be in every pharmacy, not to talk of hospitals.
The Ministry of Health should make the availability of anti-venom a policy or criterion for licensing pharmacies and hospitals. Any hospital or pharmacy without it should be penalized or shut down…”
