Ortom Aids Snakebite Victim, Calls for Better Care

On 13 September 2026, former Benue State Governor Chief Samuel Ortom assisted a woman who had been bitten by a snake in Tse-Poor, Ugondo community. The victim arrived at Ortom's residence in Makurdi in severe pain and bleeding.

Mr Terver Akase, Ortom’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, alerted Ortom to the woman's dire condition. Ortom promptly directed that she be taken to a hospital for treatment and assured that he would cover the medical expenses.

Akase noted Ortom's longstanding commitment to supporting snakebite victims, emphasizing the need for stronger government intervention to facilitate access to affordable treatment. He mentioned that the former administration had previously arranged for free treatment for snakebite victims due to the prevalence of such incidents in the state.

Akase called on the current state government to partner with private health facilities to improve care for snakebite victims, stressing the importance of enhancing emergency response mechanisms.