Snakes Take Over Badagry Hospital As Lagos Govt Looks Away
Shock and outrage have continued to trail the deepening crisis at the Pota Primary Health Centre in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, following a disturbing discovery that the facility has been overrun by snakes and left in complete neglect by relevant authorities.
An investigation by Badagry Today, triggered by alarming reports from concerned residents, revealed a harrowing scene at the once-functional government health facility.
The structure now lies in a deplorable state, with over 20 snakes reportedly killed within the premises in recent months.
From the labour room and consulting offices to the reception and toilets, snakes have been sighted slithering freely, raising fears for the safety of patients and healthcare personnel.
Nurses and other staff, who spoke under condition of anonymity, described the situation as “terrifying and unacceptable.”
“This place is a danger zone. We’ve killed more than 20 snakes here. You can’t sit anywhere with peace of mind,” one of the health workers lamented.
Even more disturbing, the PHC, which caters to over 40 communities and 15 towns, currently operates without electricity. Medical staff are left to work at night using candles and a single solar-powered bulb, with a donated generator abandoned due to lack of fuel support from the government.
“How do you deliver babies or attend to emergencies in candlelight in 2025?” a nurse asked rhetorically.
The last visible upgrade to the centre, it was learnt, was not carried out by the government but by Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, whose foundation donated hospital beds, wheelchairs, and other essential items in 2021.
Since then, no further intervention has come from the Badagry Local Government or the Lagos State Government.
Several letters and complaints submitted by the staff to the local authorities have yielded no meaningful action.
“They come, they nod, they leave. Nothing changes,” a frustrated staff member disclosed.
Ironically, the same Badagry Local Government recently commissioned a brand-new health centre in Ajido, a neighbouring community, prompting widespread criticism from residents who questioned the government’s priorities.
“Of what use is a new hospital when the existing ones are abandoned to rot? The Pota PHC is a lifeline for many communities, and now it’s a death trap,” a resident queried.
The health crisis is further compounded by the terrible state of the Mowo–Ikoga–Zebbe Road, the main access route to the PHC. For over a decade, the road has remained impassable, especially during the rainy season, with residents recounting incidents of schoolchildren drowning in the flooded stretches.
Observers say the situation at Pota PHC starkly contrasts Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which promises inclusive development and infrastructural renewal across Lagos. While some parts of the state have seen notable improvements, residents of Badagry say they are being left behind.
“This hospital symbolises everything wrong with our health system. If the government won’t act, then they’ve failed the people,” another staffer concluded grimly.
As at the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Health or the Badagry Local Government on the matter.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
