Woman accuses Abuja fumigation firm of planting snakes to extort homeowners

A woman in Abuja has accused a fumigation company of allegedly planting live snakes in residents’ homes in order to extort money from them under the guise of emergency removal.

The woman, who shared her experience online, claimed that workers from the company secretly bring a cobra to clients’ compounds during routine fumigation services and later present it as having been discovered on the property.

According to her, the workers visited her home to spray the compound and shortly afterwards claimed to have found a cobra. She said they demanded ₦150,000 to remove the reptile.

She became suspicious when the workers reportedly refused to kill the snake, insisting instead that it needed to remain alive for reasons they described as related to venom collection.

The refusal, she said, raised concerns that the same snake might be reused in multiple homes to create panic and demand additional payments.

Her allegation comes amid growing reports and viral videos on social media from other Abuja residents who claim similar incidents during fumigation visits. In several cases, snakes were allegedly “discovered” shortly after fumigation began, followed by requests for large sums of money for removal.

The claims have sparked public concern, with many residents suspecting that some unscrupulous operators may be staging the incidents to exploit homeowners.

Authorities have yet to officially respond to the allegations.

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