BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN
The tragic death of Nanyah, the fast-rising Nigerian singer whose real name was Ifunanya Nwangene but on socials was known with the username ‘Nanyah music’, has triggered a lot of buzz online and offline.
The deceased was said to have been bitten by a venomous snake at her residence in the early hours of Saturday, 31st January, 2026, in Abuja.In the early hours of Sunday, 1st February, tributes and a lot of posts by Nigerians clustered the internet, with some apportioning blame to the hospitals she rushed to for not having anti-venom treatment, which led to her death.
In reference to the above speculation, The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, debunked the above claim and revealed that the deceased passed away due to neurotoxic complications following a snake bite, despite all the efforts made by the medical personnel who attended to her upon arrival.
In this piece, we will be highlighting some of the ways or things we should observe to repel snakes or scorpions away from our homes and environ.
✓ Sealing up cracks or holes in your homes or compound.
This is often ignored by people living in rural areas, slums, urban settlements, and upmarket areas. Snakes and scorpions can pass through tiny holes as they seek shelter and a place to hibernate. This gives them the feeling of being safe, just like you have a room where you sleep. Sealing up the cracks or holes in your homes is like putting a lock on your door to keep unwanted visitors out.
✓ Cut the grasses around your environ; make them very short.
Cutting the grass within your home or environ helps to repel snakes, as they like to hide in bushy environments. This is nostalgic for me. It reminds me of my NYSC days in Zarama, Bayelsa state. We had plantain plantations and grasses everywhere, especially the big corpers lodge that was only occupied if there were corp members around and willing to live in the lodge. Saturday was grass-cutting day, and we would spot snakes of all colours even green ones that blended in perfectly in the grass. If not being careful enough, one might be a victim of the above incident. Keeping the grass short helped us in curbing their movement around our environ as they had to move into the forest.
✓ Use chemical repellents.This is very essential in residential areas.
Fumigating, spraying, or applying chemicals in your compound or environ to repel snakes, especially during rainy seasons, is a very good means to deter snakes from seeking shelter in holes or hidden places around your home or house.
✓ Snakes follow prey, so try to control rodents; don’t let them multiply in your environment
One of the reasons you find snakes in forests or unkempt environs is because rodents or other animals which serve as prey to snakes are found there. There is a very common Nigerian Pidgin saying which states, “Na where man dey work, e dey chop! Lol.” Literally, this translates to “Wherever people work, that’s where they eat!”
Furthermore, I decided to reveal more, but the below is community-based observations and traditional knowledge sources from regions like Nigeria. We have some natural plants that can also help or serve as repellents to snakes. NB: no scientific backups to the below.
✓ Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola):
This is a medicinal seed with a bitter taste. It is commonly said to be a good treat for cough when eaten and also it is used in production of some traditional medicine for various ailments, and can also serve as snake repellent against snakes. I can vividly remember hearing that too from my maternal grandmother, who revealed it helps repel snakes if crushed or the seeds are spread in homes or compounds. It is believed that the scent repels snakes away up to 300 meters.
✓ Scent Leaf, also known as African basil:
While growing up, I only witnessed my mother using this aromatic herb in preparation of Banga Stew (Ofe Akwu). While making my research online, I found out that the aroma from this plant is said to act as a natural deterrent, as it is too strong for snakes and messes with their sense of smell.
✓ Black stone:
This is also called snake stone or viper’s stone. It is a traditional remedy with no scientific backup but used in Africa, South America, Asia, and some other countries for both snake bites and scorpion stings. It is made from charred animal bone. Traditionally, it is applied directly to the bite or sting spot after a small incision has been made, and it is believed to stick to the wound, absorb the venom or poison, and then fall off once done. Some families, especially in rural areas, keep it at home as a ready first-aid item before taking the victim to the hospital.
NB: Kindly note that the last suggestions were crafted from community-based observations and traditional knowledge. No scientific backups to them.
By taking these practical steps to repel snakes and scorpions, we can reduce the risk of such tragic incidents happening again. Let us prioritize our safety and the safety of our loved ones.
Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin is a freelance journalist, who writes in from Lagos
NB: This article was originally published on Champion Newspaper, Lagos on February 3rd and February 4th on News Digest, Abuja 2026.
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