Reason Gombe State has the highest snake bite cases in Nigeria has been revealed by the Chairman of the National Emergency Committee on Snake Bite, Dr. Isma’il Jibrin.
Making the revelation, Jibrin stated that Gombe recorded the highest number of snake bite cases in Nigeria due to its environmental conditions.
Tjw Chairman noted that between January and July 2025, the Snake Bite and Research Centre in Kaltungo reported 1,829 cases of snake bites, resulting in 23 deaths.
Jibrin made this disclosure at the 2nd Scientific Conference of the Toxicology Society of Nigeria (TSN) in Gombe, on Monday .
Speaking on the theme: “Exploring Indigenous Anti-Snake Venom Development and Therapy in Nigeria: Policies, Challenges and Opportunities,” Jibrin disclosed that 75 per cent of victims are men.
He identified the carpet viper as the most dangerous species and lamented the high cost of anti-snake venom, which Nigeria is only allowed to produce for local use under WHO guidelines.
In his remark, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of TSN, Dr. Ibrahim Jalo Daudu, said the choice of Gombe as venue for the conference was apt. He described Gombe as a state “grappling with snake bite challenges”.
Daudu pointed out that the conference would help proffer solutions and called for local production of anti-venom to cut costs.
Representing the State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Jatau, the Governor said the State constructed 114 primary healthcare centres across all wards. A development that earned it international recognition.