A pastor of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Nankur Peter Kundul, has died after being bitten by a venomous snake while serving as a missionary in Boltim village, Gamakai District, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Kundul reportedly died at the Sabon Gida Clinic, where he was receiving treatment for the snakebite.
A fellow pastor, Rinkyer Asaph, disclosed the incident on Monday in a post shared on the Christian Daily International social media platform.
According to Asaph, the area where Kundul served has recorded several snakebite incidents, with at least two other Christians reportedly dying from snakebites within the past week.
He described the situation as a growing public health concern, particularly because Gamakai is a major agricultural area where many residents depend on farming for their livelihoods.
“The rising incidence of fatal snakebites in the community is not only a public health concern but a serious threat to agricultural activities,” Asaph said.
He warned that continued deaths could discourage farmers from going to their farmlands, potentially affecting food production and the livelihoods of families in Langtang South and beyond.
Asaph called on the Plateau State health authorities and other relevant agencies to urgently intervene, investigate the reported increase in venomous snakes and improve access to treatment for snakebite victims.
“Another person must not die from a snakebite that could have been prevented or treated,” he said, describing the situation in Gamakai as an emerging public health emergency requiring a coordinated response from local, state and federal authorities.
He urged the authorities to take immediate steps to protect residents and farmers in the community from further snakebite-related deaths.
