A pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Nankur Peter Kundul, has died after suffering a venomous snakebite while serving as a missionary in Boltim village, Gamakai District, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Kundul was reportedly bitten while serving in the rural community and later died at the Sabon Gida Clinic.
The development was announced on Monday, August 17, by Pastor Rinkyer Asaph through the Christian Daily International social media platform.
According to Asaph, the pastor’s death is part of a worrying pattern of fatal snakebite incidents in the community, with at least two other Christians reportedly dying from snakebites within the past week.
He described Gamakai as an important agricultural community whose residents depend heavily on farming, warning that the growing threat of venomous snakes could discourage farmers from accessing their farmlands.
Asaph said the situation had gone beyond an individual tragedy and had become a public health and food security concern for the community and surrounding areas.
He urged the Plateau State health authorities to urgently intervene, investigate the reported increase in venomous snakes and ensure residents have access to effective and timely treatment for snakebite.
The pastor’s death has consequently renewed concerns over the safety of farmers and missionaries working in rural communities where access to emergency medical care remains limited.
