By Deborah Miller
Tragedy has struck Jamigbe community in Gawu Ward of Abaji Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, as a venomous snake killed the head teacher of the Local Education Authority, LEA, Primary School in the area.
The village chief, HRH Alhaji Danladi Aliyu, said the incident occurred when the head teacher, Usman Mohammed, arrived at school to open his office.
According to him, a cobra that had entered through a crack in the wall hid under a chair and struck the victim as he prepared to sit down, spitting venom into his eyes.
The head teacher was rushed to a nearby hospital in Lambata, Niger State, but was pronounced dead a few hours later. Community members later killed the snake.
The village chief blamed the incident on the dilapidated condition of the school buildings, noting that cracked and crumbling walls pose serious danger to both teachers and pupils.
He said the office where the incident occurred was built by the community years ago and has since fallen into disrepair.
The tragedy has thrown the entire community into mourning, with calls on the Local Education Authority, the Area Council, and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board to provide proper classrooms and administrative offices.
Meanwhile, the Parents Teachers Association also raised concerns over teacher shortages and absenteeism, as well as lack of access to potable water in the community.
An official of the Abaji Area Council said provision of motorized boreholes for the area has been captured in the current budget, while school infrastructure issues fall under the LEA and FCT UBEB.
