An unidentified manual labourer, who was contracted to cut grasses at the Enugu State House of Assembly complex, has died after he was bitten by a snake while executing the job.
Punch learnt that the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon.
It was also learnt that the management of the House of Assembly wanted to cover up the incident.
It was gathered that the labourer, said to be a native of Abakiliki in Ebonyi State, and his colleagues were brought from “Ogbo Mmanu”, a popular hub for manual labourers in Enugu, to clear the thick grasses that had taken over the Assembly complex.
It was equally gathered that while the labourers were clearing the grasses, they encountered a snake and attempted to kill it.
A source at the Enugu State House of Assembly, who witnessed the incident, said the labourers thought the snake had died after one of them inflicted a deep cut on its head.
The eye witness, who refused to disclose his name, further explained that, thinking that the snake was dead, the labourers returned to their job but unfortunately, the wounded serpent, which had been lying still as if dead, suddenly attacked the victim.
It was gathered that the serpent bit the victim on the ankle, causing him to fall down, shouting for help.
It was after the victim was attacked that the other labourers were able to finally kill the snake.
The source added that the victim of the snake bite was still alive when he was rushed to Parklane General Hospital in Enugu.
However, he was relocated to a herbal home in the Ugwuaji area of Enugu, after his condition failed to improve at the general hospital.
Unfortunately, the labourer died a few hours after he was brought to the herbal home.
Our correspondent learnt that the Enugu State House of Assembly provided the sum of N11, 000 for his treatment.
Findings by Punch correspondent during a visit to the Enugu State House of Assembly complex on Thursday indicated that the workers are apprehensive as a result of the incident.
Some workers, who spoke with our correspondent, revealed that snakes are usually sighted within the premises of the House of Assembly.
The workers, who did not wish to be named, blamed the development on the bushy state of the legislative complex.
They also said the offices, and premises, have not been fumigated in a long while.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the development.
