Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) community in Plateau State is in mourning after one of its own, Reverend Nankur Peter Kundul, lost his life to a venomous snakebite while serving as a missionary in the remote Boltim village of Gamakai District, Langtang South Local Government Area. The 27‑year‑old pastor, who was deployed to the community to minister to residents, died at the Sabon Gida Clinic, where he was receiving treatment after the bite. His death, confirmed on Monday, August 17, 2026, has thrown the spotlight on a growing crisis that is claiming lives in Plateau's agricultural heartland – a crisis that authorities have yet to confront with the urgency it demands.
A fellow pastor, Rinkyer Asaph, who announced the sad news on the Christian Daily International social media platform, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his friend and colleague. "My heart is 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," Asaph said. But the tragedy is not an isolated one. Asaph revealed that at least two other Christians had died from snakebites in the same community within the past week, suggesting that a dangerous pattern is emerging that demands urgent government intervention.
Gamakai, where the pastor was serving, is described as the agricultural nerve centre of Langtang South. Its people depend heavily on farming for their livelihood and food production, and the agricultural produce from Gamakai is a source of food security for many families across Langtang South, Plateau State and even Nigeria. 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. Asaph warned that 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," he said, pleading with the authorities to treat the situation as an emergency.
Asaph also called for a thorough investigation into why the venomous snake population in the area is growing, and urged the Plateau State Government and relevant health authorities to urgently intervene to prevent further deaths and ensure that residents who suffer snakebites have prompt access to appropriate treatment. "Another person must not die from a snakebite that could have been prevented or treated. It is an emerging public health emergency that requires prompt, coordinated and decisive action from the local, state and federal authorities," he stated.
For the people of Gamakai, the death of Rev. Kundul is a painful reminder of the dangers they face every day, simply by working the land and seeking to earn a living. The young pastor, who dedicated his life to serving others, has become a symbol of a crisis that has been allowed to fester for too long. His death is not just a loss to the COCIN community but a wake-up call that the authorities can no longer afford to ignore. As one resident put it, "Gamakai is an emergency that deserves a swift response from authorities." The question now is whether the government will finally listen.
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