A pastor with the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN), an evangelical church in Nigeria, has died of a snakebite in the mission field where he was serving.
Rev. Nankur Peter Kundul was ministering at a COCIN congregation in Boltim village, Gamakai, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State, central Nigeria.
Rinkyer Asaph, a friend of the pastor, contacted Christian Daily International on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, to share the news of his death. Asaph said the mission field where the pastor served had been invaded by venomous snakes, which have killed other Christians in the area.
In response to CDI's inquiries, Asaph said: "My heart deeply saddened by the demise of my friend, Pastor Nankur Peter Kundul of COCIN Boltim, Gamakai, in Langtang South LGA, who lost his life to a snakebite at the Sabon Gida Clinic. At least two other Christians have previously lost their lives to snakebites in Gamakai."
Providing background on the community where the pastor died, Asaph said: "Gamakai is the agricultural nerve centre of Langtang South. Its people depend heavily on farming for their livelihood and food production. The agricultural produce from Gamakai is source of food security to many families in Langtang South, Plateau and Nigeria."
He continued: "The rising incidence of fatal snakebites in the community is therefore not only a public health concern but also a serious threat to agricultural activities, as farmers may become increasingly afraid to venture into their farmlands.
"The recent deaths from snakebites in Gamakai have reached an alarming level and demand urgent intervention. Snakebite should not become a death sentence simply because a person lives or farms in Gamakai."
Asaph urged authorities to urgently act to address the snake threat in the area.
He called on the Langtang South Local Government Council to mobilize teams to help farmers clear and safely treat their farmlands, working with health and environmental authorities on pest-control measures. He also urged the Plateau State Government to bring the situation to the attention of the Federal Government and relevant agencies.
He said there was an urgent need to investigate why venomous snake populations in the area were growing — including research into the species, their venom and the causes of the rise — and to ensure residents had immediate access to snakebite treatment, antivenom and emergency medical care.
"Another person must not die from a snakebite that could have been prevented or treated," he said. "It is an emerging public health emergency that requires prompt, coordinated and decisive action from the local, state and federal authorities. Gamakai is an emergency situation that deserves swift response from authority."
Snakebites have become a major health challenge in Plateau State and other parts of central Nigeria.
The Vanguard, a Nigerian newspaper, reported on Oct. 25, 2025, that snakebite cases in Plateau State had reached epidemic levels, claiming many lives. The paper reported that "there are snakes everywhere on the Plateau," citing traumatising deaths of 20 people bitten by mambas, cobras and vipers washed into homes by floodwaters.
The Vanguard reported that communities in Kanke, Kanam and Langtang North local government areas had been invaded by snakes, with about 20 people killed and many others receiving treatment in Zamko and traditional homes. In Lur community, Kanke, flooding had washed black mambas and carpet vipers into farmlands and residential areas, with new snakebite cases arriving at the local treatment centre daily.
"The victims include children as little as three years old, teenagers and adults who received the venom of the deadly reptiles and mostly bitten on the legs," the newspaper reported.
Information gathered online shows that Plateau State has been grappling with a significant number of snakebite cases. As of July 2026, the state government reported treating 311 out of 312 cases under its Free Anti-Snake Venom programme between December 2025 and June 2026.
The Comprehensive Medical Centre in Zamko, an annex of Jos University Teaching Hospital, recorded 822 snakebite cases in 10 months with three deaths between January and October 2017. Another report cited about 430 cases in eight months with nine deaths, though exact dates were not specified.
In Langtang Local Government Area, 1,500 snakebite cases were recorded in 10 months, according to Dr. Istifanus Bako, the medical officer. Miko Memorial Clinic in Amper recorded 6,796 snakebite cases over 24 years with just two deaths, as of 2015.
